A man was reportedly found guilty Wednesday in the U.K. for praying silently outside an abortion clinic in the Bournemouth Magistrate’s Court.
Military veteran and father Adam Smith-Connor was originally charged with praying in an abortion “buffer zone” in November 2022, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK. (RELATED: UK’s Censorship Dystopia Hints At The Future Kamala Wants For Conservatives)
Today, a man was criminally convicted for standing still, silently praying, in England. I’ve now had chance to read the decision in full. A short thread below. And before you get to the end, you can support Adam here: https://t.co/q0JKxcCxoq pic.twitter.com/mNyQMgFOvJ
— Paul Coleman (@Paul_B_Coleman) October 16, 2024
He was interrogated about “the nature of his prayers,” the legal group stated in its press release. Now, Smith-Connor has been sentenced to a “conditional discharge” and must pay prosecution fees of 9,000 euros. The court concluded that Smith-Connor’s prayer constituted a “disapproval of abortion.” (EXCLUSIVE: DOJ Data Confirms Conservative Fears Biden Weaponized Justice System)
He was charged by the Christchurch & Poole Council under the Public Spaces Protection Order, which prohibits acts of “approval/disapproval” relating to abortion services, including “prayer or counseling.”
The 2023 Public Order created “buffer zones” around abortion facilities in England and Wales, according to the ADF. The Labour Government announced proposals to establish zones on Oct. 31, the legal group noted. Soon, “influencing” someone’s choice to obtain abortion services will be outlawed, according to the government’s website.
“We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay,” Safeguarding Minister Jess Philips stated in the government’s press release.
Today, a man was criminally convicted for standing still, silently praying, in England. I’ve now had chance to read the decision in full. A short thread below. And before you get to the end, you can support Adam here: https://t.co/q0JKxcCxoq pic.twitter.com/mNyQMgFOvJ
— Paul Coleman (@Paul_B_Coleman) October 16, 2024
“Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts – silent thoughts – can be illegal in the United Kingdom,” Smith-Connor stated in the ADF’s press release. “That cannot be right. All I did was pray to God, in the privacy of my own mind – and yet I stand convicted as a criminal?” (RELATED: Pro-Life Activist Arrested For Praying Silently Outside An Abortion Clinic, Advocates Say)
Smith-Connor’s defense maintained that his thoughts and beliefs were not criminal acts, especially since he was peaceful and on a public street, according to the ADF. His back was facing the facility and he did not engage with any individuals, the organization added.
“This is a legal turning point of immense proportions,” Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, stated in the press release. “A man has been convicted today because of the content of his thoughts – his prayers to God – on the public streets of England.”
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
