U.K. man charged for ‘praying’ by abortion clinic warns U.S.: ‘Our children’ may be jailed for pro-life views
A U.K. man who was charged for praying outside an abortion clinic in the U.K. warned Americans that if they don’t stand up against attacks on free speech, "our children" could be "put in prison" for having pro-life beliefs.
"Are you praying for the lives of unborn children?" an officer employed by a local police department asked a woman outside an abortion facility in Birmingham, UK.
Footage obtained by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK captured the incident in which the West Midlands Police officer threatened to fine Isabel Vaughan-Spruce allegedly for "standing still and praying silently" within an area abortion facility's "buffer zone" earlier this month.
"The UK government urgently needs to clarify that silent thoughts can never be illegal – even if those thoughts are in disagreement with the views of the State," Vaughan-Spruce said.
PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST ARRESTED FOR PRAYING SILENTLY NEAR AN ABORTION FACILITY
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was threatened with a fine for silently praying outside a U.K. abortion clinic. (Alliance Defending Freedom UK)
"This is the third time I have been treated like a criminal for peacefully, silently, and imperceptibly praying for women who are likely facing one of the worst days of their lives.
"The buffer zone regulation has already sought to prevent me and others from counseling women desperately in need of help. And now, authorities are trying to remove my ability even to pray for these women. To fine somebody simply for their thoughts is grossly Orwellian and an insult to the freedoms that Britain is meant to protect," she continued.
Video of the incident that took place on Oct. 18 shows a female officer ask Vaughan-Spruce a series of questions, beginning with, "Are you here as a part of an organized protest?"
Isabel Vaughn-Spruce, seen here with Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK. (Courtesy of ADF UK)
"No," Vaughan-Spruce responded.
The officer then asked if she was a member of a pro-life or pro-choice organization to which Vaughan-Spruce responded that she was, but was not present in that capacity.
Among a series of subsequent questions, the officer asked if Vaughan-Spruce was aware of a Public Space Protection order in place at the location and whether she was aware that her actions breached that order.
Though Vaughan-Spruce responded that she was aware of the protection order, she denied her actions violated the policy and said, "I don't believe I need to," when asked if she would move elsewhere.
POLICE DROP CHARGES AGAINST BRITISH WOMAN FOR SILENTLY PRAYING OUTSIDE AN ABORTION CLINIC
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has faced charges for praying outside abortion clinics in the U.K. (ADF UK)
"I believe I've got a right to be here," she added.
The officer notified her that she would receive a fixed penalty notice for her actions.
Fox News Digital reached out to West Midlands Police for comment and received the following response:
"A woman has been given a written warning for breaching a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Station Road, Kings Norton on 18 October," the statement read.
"Due to ongoing reports made by local residents regarding anti-social behaviour, West Midlands Police in partnership with Birmingham City Council have successfully obtained the PSPO and the order is well publicised. Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and further breaches will lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) with a fine of up to £100 or prosecution via a court summons."
ADF UK's report of the situation said despite the questioning and receiving notice of a fine, the fine was not pursued, but Vaughan-Spruce was warned that things would be different in the future.
Vaughan-Spruce has been arrested before for praying outside abortion clinics in the U.K. Just last month, police dropped charges against her following a six-month investigation for praying outside a facility and issued her an apology.
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FOX News' Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.