On Thursday morning, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce and Father Sean Gough, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, were found “not guilty” after being tried at a Birmingham Magistrates’ Court for the “crime” of praying silently outside an abortion facility.
SPUC reported that following her acquittal, Ms. Vaughan-Spruce stated, “I’m glad I’ve been vindicated of any wrongdoing.” However, it is unjustifiable that I was arrested for my thoughts and treated like a criminal simply for silently praying on a public street.
With regard to censorship zones, peaceful prayer and attempts to offer help to women in crisis pregnancies are now being described as either “criminal” or “anti-social.” However, what is profoundly anti-social are the steps now being taken to censor freedom of speech, freedom to offer help, freedom to pray, and even freedom to think. It is imperative that we stand firm against this and ensure that these most fundamental freedoms are protected, and that all our laws reflect this.
Vaughan-Spruce was arrested on December 6th and charged with “protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users,” for praying in a censorship zone established by the local city council,” according to Ari Blaff. “Advocates were prohibited from engaging in activities such as praying, distributing literature, and other activities deemed to foster “anti-social behavior” in the vicinity of a local abortion facility.
Isabel Vaughan Spruce was standing near an abortion clinic in Birmingham.
Policeman: “are you praying?”
IVS: “I might be praying in my head”
Policeman: “you’re under arrest”
This really is the ultimate thought crime. pic.twitter.com/ehZiTx0bMU
On a separate occasion, Father Sean Gough engaged in a similar act of civil disobedience outside the same abortion facility, carrying a sign that read, “Praying for Free Speech.” This action was defended by Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, who also represented Vaughan-Spruce and Father Gough.
Igunnubole asserted that the court’s decision is of significant cultural import. This is not 1984; it is 2023. There is no justification for criminalizing individuals for their thoughts, prayers, or peaceful expression on a public street.
Michael Robinson, the Executive Director for Public Affairs and Legal Services at SPUC, stated that
“The acquittal of Isabel and Fr Gough is a significant victory – but we must not be complacent. Thoughtcrime in the UK remains a terrifying prospect that must be opposed and rejected once and for all.
“Clause 9 of the Public Order Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, threatens to rob British citizens of their hard-won rights to speech free and religious expression. Buffer zones are inherently authoritarian, even seeking to outlaw silent prayer within the confines of an individual’s head.
“While it is absurd that such an inoffensive, peaceful and prayerful person as Isabel was arrested and put on trial, this nevertheless happened in the UK, where persecution of pro-lifers and religion has now become the order of the day.”
“Such persecution is unacceptable and a breach of human rights. The Government must act with immediate effect to protect the right to free speech of all its citizens.”
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
