Case Summary

Livia’s motivation to go out on the street with a sign offering conversation followed the lockdown period where social interaction was restricted. She saw trends at the time of people offering “free hugs” and other types of engagement on the street, and the idea for her sign was born.

She has had countless positive interactions with various groups of people who have stopped to talk with her about issues that are important to them, including students who spoke to her about their studies and parents who spoke about their children.

Livia believes that every life matters. She is happy to talk to anyone in a difficult situation, including those facing an abortion. And that is exactly what she did with a sign that read six words, “Here to talk if you want”. Many willingly approached Livia to talk to her.

She firmly believes too that one must never intimidate, harass, or condemn. But we are all free to offer a listening ear. Yet, in a shocking display of government overreach, Bournemouth Council officials issued Livia a fixed penalty notice, accusing her of breaching the “buffer zone”.

With the knowledge that she committed no wrongdoing, Livia declined to pay the penalty on the grounds that she did not breach the terms of the Public Space Protection Order and has the right, protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, to offer consensual conversations.

For this, Livia was put on trial at Poole Magistrates Court and found guilty. Having been found guilty, the court also ordered Livia to pay prosecution costs of £20,000.

What has happened to Livia is a grave violation of the basic right to free expression. No one should be criminalised for peacefully offering to talk to people on a public street. But Livia’s case is not an isolated incident—It is part of a disturbing and undeniable crackdown on free speech in Britain.

What freedoms do we have if peaceful conversations are outlawed? Today, authorities are targeting conversations and even silent prayers they say are related to abortion. Tomorrow, it could be any other topic that goes against the mainstream perspective, as defined and policed by those in power.

The slippery slope towards tyranny is clear. This is not how free and democratic countries should function.

The world is watching the UK. Consensual conversation is not a crime. And Livia is not a criminal. Stand with her as we unite to defend the fundamental right of every person to speak freely.

ADF UK is supporting Livia’s legal defence as she considers all legal options.