Police continue to intimidate Isabel Vaughan-Spruce for ‘thinking’ outside abortion centre

[Michie]

The police force in Birmingham has again interrogated Isabel Vaughan-Spruce about what goes on inside her head outside an abortion centre.

In footage obtained by ADF UK, a faith-based legal advocacy organisation, a police community support officer presses Vaughan-Spruce as to the nature of her silent thoughts while within the vicinity of an abortion centre-related “buffer zone”. The officer, employed by West Midlands Police, specifically asks Vaughan-Spruce if she is “here to pray for the lives of unborn children”. Vaughan-Spruce attempts to explain that she was “just simply thinking, silently in my head”.

Vaughan-Spruce, a volunteer who has provided charitable support for new mothers and women in crisis pregnancies for over twenty years, prays regularly, in silence, on the public street near an abortion centre, notes ADF UK. Vaughan-Spruce has now faced police interference on multiple occasions and been arrested twice on the basis of her silent thoughts and was fully vindicated in March 2023 when Birmingham Magistrates’ Court returned a not guilty verdict.

“I’ve been arrested twice and fully vindicated by a court verdict that upheld my freedom of thought, and yet even still, officers continue to interrogate me for the simple act of thinking prayerful thoughts on a public street,” Vaughan-Spruce says. “This isn’t 1984, but 2023. No matter one’s beliefs on abortion, nobody should be punished merely for the prayers they hold inside their head.”

In September 2022, Birmingham local authorities installed the “buffer zone”, which forbids any expression of “approval or disapproval” of abortion, and prohibits making offers of charitable support to women, says ADF UK. Since the enforcement of the censorship zone, Vaughan-Spruce has limited her activity within the zone to silent prayer.

Continued below.

https://catholicherald.co.uk/police-continue-to-intimidate-isabel-vaughan-spruce-for-thinking-outside-abortion-centre/

 

[Gnarwhal]

I don't know UK laws but in the US she could theoretically file a lawsuit for harassment, yeah? It's getting ridiculous that they won't leave her alone and they know full well she's not bothering anybody (despite what others might claim).

 

[Chrystal-J]

Matthew 5:10​

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Pursue your lawmakers to add a "5th Amendment" type rule like our US Constitution provides allowing a person to refuse to testify or admit a crime thereby self-incriminating. That doesn't constitute lying of denying by simply refusing to speak or sign. The word of God encourages private prayer in one's "prayer closet", not before people to be seen or heard praying unless called upon. Going beyond that doesn't necessarily prevent help from God, but we ought to obey what His Spirit is directing our spirit and mouth to do in everything. Whatever persecution coming from that obedience is in His hands, our great defense attorney/advocate in Heaven. We also are admonished to obey the powers of government allowed to exist.
Titus 3:1-2 (KJV)
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Defying the government of your land carries potential curses from rulers and witnesses that could damage your opportunities to serve Jesus, being counted a criminal and bringing shame. Be wise, full of the Word of God, stay tuned in to His directives.