A Christian charity volunteer has been arrested for the second time for praying in a “buffer zone” outside a British abortion clinic, according to video posted by the legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK.
Officers arrested Isabel Vaughan-Spruce for the first time on Dec. 6 outside of BPAS Robert Clinic in Birmingham, England. Police asked her if she was praying, to which she replied she, “might be praying silently.” A jury decided Vaughan-Spruce was “not guilty” in February, after UK authorities dropped formal charges against her. Vaughan-Spruce was accused of violating the city’s Public Space Protection Order. (RELATED: ‘Girls Are Going To Be Just Fine’: Dem Lawmaker Dismisses Female Athletes’ Concerns About Trans Competitors)
The order banned, among other things, “engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means,” including by “graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling.”
Video obtained by ADF UK and posted to Twitter on Monday showed Vaughan-Spruce’s second arrest.
“You’ve said you’re engaging in prayer, which is the offense,” police said in the video.
“Silent prayer,” Vaughan-Spruce responded.
“You were still engaging in prayer, which is the offense,” an officer said.
????BREAKING: Isabel has been arrested, AGAIN, for THINKING.
MPs vote TOMORROW on banning silent prayer near all abortion facilities in????󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿&????󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
“You’ve said you’re engaging in prayer, which is the offense.”
“Silent prayer.”
“You were still engaging in prayer, which is the offense.” pic.twitter.com/AId3OguiXz
— ADF UK (@ADF_UK) March 6, 2023
The UK voted to ban even silent prayer outside abortion clinics in England in Nov. 2022. Violators could face up to six months in jail.
Birmingham police did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
