— ADF UK (@ADF_UK) March 6, 2023
Although two police officers are seen in the video clip, the ADF UK said six police officers were involved in Vaughan-Spruce's arrest on Monday.
Her bail conditions prohibit her from standing in an area even beyond the censorial "buffer zone" around an abortion facility.
"Only three weeks ago, it was made clear by the court that my silent prayers were not a crime. And yet, again, I have been arrested and treated as a criminal for having the exact same thoughts in my head, in the same location," Vaughan-Spruce said in a statement. "The ambiguity of laws that limit free expression and thought – even in peaceful, consensual conversation or in silent, internal prayer – leads to abject confusion, to the detriment of important fundamental rights. Nobody should be criminalized for their thoughts."
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In a follow-up tweet, with a video clip showing even more of the interaction between the charity worker and the police officers, the ADF UK wrote, "Police wrongly claimed that the PSPO 'buffer zone' banned Isabel from simply standing near a clinic. This is simply not true. A court ruled only weeks ago that Isabel broke no laws by thinking a prayer in her mind. How can MPs (Members of Parliament) roll out this law with so little clarity?"
Police wrongly claimed that the PSPO "buffer zone" banned Isabel from simply standing near a clinic.
This is simply not true. A court ruled only weeks ago that Isabel broke no laws by thinking a prayer in her mind.
How can MPs roll out this law with so little clarity? pic.twitter.com/whcuDtKvz5
— ADF UK (@ADF_UK) March 6, 2023
House of Commons to Debate Censorship Zones Across UK
On Tuesday, the House of Commons is scheduled to debate the rollout of censorship zones around abortion facilities across the United Kingdom.
Clause 10 of the Public Order Bill would criminalize any form of "influencing" outside of abortion facilities, which would include prayer, consensual peaceful conversations, or offers of help about services available to those who would like an alternative choice to abortion, according to the ADF UK.
Andrew Lewer MP has proposed an amendment to the bill that would exempt silent prayer and consensual conversations from the ban.
The nonprofit law firm tweeted their support of Lewer's amendment, writing: "MPs CAN amend Clause 10 of the Public Order Bill. This isn't 1984. The UK Parliament should not be introducing the first thoughtcrime into UK law. ASK YOUR MP to support @ALewerMBE's amendments to exempt silent prayer and consensual conversation from the ban."
In a statement, ADF UK Legal Counsel Jeremiah Igunnubole said, "There is no room for 'thoughtcrime' in modern UK law."
"MPs will for the first time in Modern British history be able to vote to make it abundantly clear that there is no room for 'thoughtcrime' in modern UK law. It is deeply concerning that the basic rights of freedom of thought, peaceful expression, and individual liberty are even up for debate," Igunnubole said.
"This isn't 1984, but 2023 – nobody should be criminalized for their thoughts, for their prayers, and for a consensual conversation on a public street," he continued.
"MPs should use their vote today to uphold freedom to pray, and have consensual conversations, on our streets," Igunnubole noted.
