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Currently under discussion in the UK Parliament is a bill that would create a so-called “buffer zone” around abortion facilities across England and Wales. This could be one of the most egregious violations of free expression in the modern Western world.
Five municipalities in the UK already have these censorship zones in place, providing a glimpse of what would certainly have large-scale consequences for basic freedoms if this became a national reality. In the past two months alone, the UK has brought legal action against her three individuals for allegedly violating censored zones around abortion facilities.
Shortly before Christmas, a video footage depicting the arrest of Isabel Vaughan Spruce went viral. For years, Isabel has volunteered to help pregnant women in need. Because she chose to pray in silence in censored zones, she was interrogated, searched, arrested, and eventually charged with “protesting” and “engaging in acts of threatening service users.” Especially when she stopped to pray, her abortion facility was closed. However, offering a moment of silence could be considered a criminal under the law.
Army veteran Adam Smith Connor was next. Bournemouth, England, has a ridiculously detailed ‘buffer zone’ ordinance in place, ominously posted on signs denoting prohibited activities. These include holy watering, kneeling, reading the Bible, and prayers that are considered “acts of approval/disapproval” of abortion. Adam, like Isabel, chose to pray quietly in the censored zone for his son, who died of an abortion years earlier. After interrogating him about the content of his private prayers, Bournemouth’s ‘community safety certified police officers’ on patrol fined him for violating the zone’s rules.
UK report claims priest charged with holding ‘pray for free speech’ sign and having pro-life bumper sticker
Father Sean Gough’s car with an ‘Unborn lives matter’ sticker. (Provided by ADF UK)
Most recently, Catholic priest Father Sean Goff was accused of violating the same Birmingham ordinance as Isabel. Father Sean devotes much of his pastoral work to helping women suffering from abortions. In fact, his own mother chose her life for him after being forced to have an abortion. He chose to pray in the censored zone because of his country’s free speech status. To make his intentions clear, he held a sign that read “Pray for Freedom of Speech” and began to pray in silence. .
Both Isabel and Father Sean later received notice that the charges were dropped. But prosecutors said they could be reinstated if more evidence came to light. Isabel and Father Sean will head to court on February 16 to seek a definite verdict, hoping to clear their names and clarify the legality of the silence.
Censored Zone does absolutely nothing to help women. They punish and prosecute peaceful prayer, making thoughtcrime a verifiable reality in today’s world. Censored zones stifle basic human rights and block women from hearing about the genuine offers of charitable assistance available if they want an alternative to abortion.
The claim that censorship zones are necessary to stop harassment is a complete lie. No woman should be harassed, but the law already makes harassment a prosecutable crime. Don’t be fooled. Women don’t need a “buffer zone” covering miles of public roads to stop harassment already prosecuted under the law.
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Father Sean Goff holds up a sign that reads “Pray for Free Speech”. (Provided by ADF UK)
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Ultimately, the issue goes beyond stances on abortion. Derived from World War II, “buffer zone” is a term of warfare that, by definition, means forcing opposing sides to fight each other by carving out territories between them that are supposedly neutral. Reserve war terms for real wars. Controversial issues with serious moral, spiritual, and emotional consequences need more conversation, not less. And it is not the role of governments to dictate when and where these peaceful dialogues will take place.
Isabel, Adam, and Father Sean have come from different lives, but they share a deep commitment to preserving the life of unborn babies and empowering women to choose their lives. Everyone has the right to think, act, and yes, pray according to their beliefs. Democracies like Britain do not have the business of policing thoughtcrime and must be vigilant to prevent this insidious trend from spreading to the West. We must carefully protect the right of all to pray freely.
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