A catholic woman was detained for ‘praying’ in front of an abortion clinic after she was accused of violating the council’s ‘buffer zone’ which prohibits protest in the area.
Director of the anti-abortion organisation March for Life UK, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, was accosted by a police officer as she stood on the street outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham.
The 45-year-old protestor was prosecuted with four charges of breaking the ‘buffer zone’ of the abortion clinic after admitting that she may have been praying while standing outside.
On December 6, an officer contacted her after receiving a complaint from a member of the public. She had been standing there without a sign for some time.
The West Midlands Police officer cautioned the activist before inquiring, “Why are you here today?”
Ms. Vaughan-Spruce of Malvern, Worcestershire, said, “Physically, I’m simply standing here.”
Why here of all locations? I am aware you do not reside close,’ the officer questioned. She said, “However, this is an abortion clinic.”
The officer stated, “Alright, so that’s why you’re standing here. Are you participating in a protest? Are you praying?’
She responded, “I might be praying in my brain, but not out loud,” when asked if she was praying.
The police then detained her on suspicion of violating a protective order for public spaces.
She is now scheduled to appear before the Birmingham Magistrates Court on February 2 on four counts of disobeying a Public Space Protection Order.
The order issued on September 7 makes it illegal to engage in acts of approbation or disapproval, such as prayer and protest, within a buffer zone surrounding the Station Road clinic.
The decree issued by the Birmingham City Council stated, “This includes, but is not limited to, graphic, verbal, and written techniques, as well as prayer and counseling.”
Interfering verbally or physically, or attempting to interfere, with a Robert Clinic service user, visitor, or staff member.
“Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a patient, visitor, or staff member of the Robert Clinic.”
“Recording or photographing a Robert Clinic patient, visitor, or staff member.”
Displaying any language or images directly or indirectly related to abortion is prohibited.
The council stated that the action was necessary so that clinic visitors and employees “had clear access without fear of conflict.”
Mrs. Vaughn-Spruce stated, “It is abhorrently wrong that I was searched, arrested, questioned by police, and prosecuted only for praying in my head.”
‘Censorship zones claim to prohibit harassment, which is already prohibited by law. No one should ever experience harassment.
“However, what I did was in no way damaging; I was only exercising my freedom of thought and religion in the privacy of my own mind.”
Nobody in the United Kingdom should be punished for thinking and praying in public.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, the legal organization backing Vaughan-Spruce, said, “Isabel’s experience should be very disturbing to all those who believe that our hard-fought fundamental rights are worth safeguarding.”
It is extremely shocking that the legislation has given local authorities such broad and unaccountable discretion that even “wrong” sentiments can now result in a humiliating arrest and criminal penalty.
Isabel, a woman of impeccable character who has selflessly served her community by assisting vulnerable women and children, has been treated no differently than a violent offender.
The current growth in buffer zone legislation and orders marks a turning point in our nation. We must ask ourselves if we are a truly democratic nation committed to safeguarding the peaceful enjoyment of the right to free speech.
We are in grave danger of sleepwalking mindlessly into a culture that accepts, normalizes, and even supports the “tyranny of the majority.”
As part of her bail conditions, Vaughan-Spruce was instructed not to contact a local Catholic priest who was also involved in pro-life activities; this provision was later removed.
As a condition of her bail, police placed restrictions on Vaughan-ability Spruce’s to engage in public prayer outside the PSPO region, citing the need to prevent future violations.
The Catholic Herald was informed by the West Midlands Police that Miss Vaughan-Spruce was arrested on December 6 and charged with violating the PSPO on December 15.