(PatrioticPost.com)- In early December, a pro-life woman in Birmingham, England was arrested by police while silently praying outside of an abortion clinic for breaching a speech buffer zone established by the city council.
Video footage shows Isabel Vaughan-Spruce being taken into custody by Birmingham police for violating a Public Space Protection Order. The video, which is being circulated by Alliance Defending Freedom, quickly went viral on social media.
Alliance Defending Freedom is raising money for Vaughan-Spruce’s legal defense.
When officers asked if she was part of a protest, Vaughan-Spruce told them she wasn’t. The officers then asked if she was praying, prompting Vaughan-Spruce to say she could be praying “in my head.”
The officers searched Vaughan-Spruce, handcuffed her, and led her away.
Vaughan-Spruce was later charged with four counts of failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order which prohibits activities that foster “anti-social” behavior, according to the policy.
The policy allows local authorities to “counter unreasonable and persistent behavior that affects the quality of life of its residents. However, it is unclear from the directive which specific behaviors violate the law.
Five local councils have already created such Public Space Protection zones, with some posting signs detailing that free speech is limited.
In October, a Public Space Protect Order was declared around an abortion facility in Bournemouth, posting a sign showing the designated area marked in red where certain activities were prohibited, including “prayer and counseling” and “holding vigils where members audibly pray, recite scripture, genuflect, sprinkle holy water,” or making the sign of a cross when a someone using the service passes by.
Birmingham City Council imposed the Public Protection Order Vaughan-Spruce allegedly broke in early September, outlawing all anti-abortion demonstrations outside of the clinic.
At the time of her arrest, Vaughan-Spruce was alone. She did not carry a sign, candles, or graphic images that might be deemed disturbing to residents.
She is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on February 2.
