[Susan]

BIRMINGHAM (22 December 2022) – New footage shows the arrest of Isabel-Vaughan-Spruce, who has been charged with breaking a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for praying silently nearby an abortion facility in Kings Norton, Birmingham, on four occasions.

The charity volunteer, who has been providing support to vulnerable women and children for many years, was standing silently, praying, until police approached her and asked her what she was doing. She said she “might” be praying inside her own mind. She was searched, interrogated at a police station, arrested, and charged with breaking the PSPO by silently praying inside her mind.

A “Thoughtcrime” in UK Law?

The censorship zone measure introduced by Birmingham authorities via a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) criminalises individuals percieved to be “engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval” in relation to abortion, including through “verbal or written means, prayer or counselling…”.

“It’s abhorrently wrong that I was searched, arrested, interrogated by police and charged simply for praying in the privacy of my own mind. Censorship zones purport to ban harassment, which is already illegal. Nobody should ever be subject to harassment. But what I did was the furthest thing from harmful – I was exercising my freedom of thought, my freedom of religion, inside the privacy of my own mind. Nobody should be criminalised for thinking and for praying, in a public space in the UK,” said Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, following her arrest for silent prayer.


In Westminster, parliamentarians are considering legislation to introduce censorship zones around abortion facilities across England and Wales. Clause 9 of the Public Order Bill, currently under parliamentary debate, would prohibit pro-life volunteers from “influencing”, “advising”, “persuading”, “informing”, “occupying space” or even “expressing opinion” within the vicinity of an abortion facility.

Those who breach the rules could face up to two years in prison.

A 2018 government review into the work of volunteers outside of abortion facilities found that instances of harassment are rare, and police already have powers to prosecute individuals engaging in such activities. The most common activities of pro-life groups were found to be quiet or silent prayer, or offering leaflets about charitable support available to women who would like to consider alternative options to abortion.

At 150m, the national censorship zones would be larger than a football pitch (115m). In the equivalent space, if one goalkeeper were to pray for the other goalkeeper – regardless of impact or noticeability – that would be an offence.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh, the Scottish government have shown support for Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay’s bill to introduce censorship zones around abortion facilities across Scotland.

The Scottish bill would ban “influence” within 150m of an abortion facility. The government made it clear at the Supreme Court hearing in July that they would include prayer within the scope of “influencing” in their legislation – the Lord Advocate testified that silent prayer could cause “psychological damage”.

Support for the policy comes despite the First Minister’s acknowledgment that so-called “buffer zones” are hindered by human rights law. The First Minister chaired two national “summits” on the issue this year. Only stakeholders supportive of buffer zones were invited to attend these events.

[Gravy42]

what the everloving fuck is this agenda

I just don’t get it

[Major_Tom]

Originally Posted by Gravy42 ↗

what the everloving fuck is this agenda

I just don’t get it

Attempted destruction of society by unelected globalists seeking to impose their billionaire will upon us as their wealth hasn't made them spiritually fulfilled.

[MutchyMan]

If she was a Muslim, the police wouldn't stop her. They'd probably protect her while she prayed.
The police seem to often forget they police by consent in this country, and they don't have my consent!!

[Mr.NoCredit]

Go arrest some criminals instead.. you know, the ones that rob, steal, rape and plunder…

[hughjardon67]

Not arrested for praying. She was arrested for her "...failure to comply with a public spaces protection order...," which happened to be across the street from an abortion center. Whether it be silently praying, protesting loud and proud with a sign, or intimidation with mere presence, 'tis not permitted. Said so herself, she had a choice and chose to not go voluntarily.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with nuisance or problems in an area that cause harm to the quality of life of the local community.

^ Googled it.

[Kaboom]

The place is not a public area to protect women for anti abortionists so if you loiter there you will be asked to move on and arrested if you refuse. This women has been arrested several times before.

[MsHell]

My mum was born in Birmingham in 1948 and legally migrated to Australia, with her 8 siblings and mum and dad, 3 older brothers who were of age, decided to stay in Birmingham.

I am so so glad, they moved and i was not born there, it has turned so bad

[MartyK]

Originally Posted by MsHell ↗

My mum was born in Birmingham in 1948 and legally migrated to Australia, with her 8 siblings and mum and dad, 3 older brothers who were of age, decided to stay in Birmingham.

I am so so glad, they moved and i was not born there, it has turned so bad

In similar boat mate. UK is finished