THURSDAY: Christian woman criminally charged for silent prayer to appear in court

  • Charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was previously cleared in court and received a payout from police for being unjustly arrested twice for her silent prayers, has been criminally charged again
  • Ms Vaughan-Spruce will appear in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 29 January at 10am, with the legal support of ADF International
  • Last week, US Vice President JD Vance criticised ‘when other nations throw pro-life and pro-family advocates in prison for silent prayer’

BIRMINGHAM (27 January 2026) – A Christian woman criminally charged because she “stood outside” an abortion facility in Birmingham and silently prayed will appear in court on Thursday.

Charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was criminally charged last December by West Midlands Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for silently praying in a “buffer zone”, will appear in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Thursday 29 January at 10am.

She is expected to enter a plea of “not guilty” and to receive a trial date at the hearing. ADF International is supporting her legal defence.

This is the first time someone has been criminally charged under national “buffer zone” legislation, which came into force in October 2024, under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023.  

The new national law prohibits “influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services” within 150m of abortion facilities, but does not mention silent prayer specifically.  

CPS guidance on the law stipulates that silent prayer on its own is not enough to meet the threshold of criminality unless it is accompanied by “overt” activity. 

All previous court cases regarding the status of silent prayer took place in the context of “buffer zones” enforced by local authorities via Public Spaces Protection Orders, rather than through this new law. 

This is the third time Ms Vaughan-Spruce has been criminally charged for silently praying.

She was cleared in court in February 2023 after her first arrest, and after being arrested a second time in March 2023, the police dropped their investigation.

In August 2024, Ms Vaughan-Spruce won a payout of £13,000 from West Midlands Police after she issued a claim for unlawful arrests and the breach of her human rights.

Thursday’s court hearing follows US Vice President JD Vance commenting on “buffer zone” censorship at the Washington DC March for Life 2026 on Friday.

Vice President Vance said: “It’s why we speak up when other nations throw pro-life and pro-family advocates in prison for silent prayer. Which we’ve seen way too much, but it’s got to stop.”

The US Administration has criticised “buffer zone” censorship in the UK on multiple occasions.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce commented: 

“Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it’s unbelievable that I have yet again been charged for standing in that public area, and holding pro-life beliefs. Silent prayer – or holding pro-life beliefs – cannot possibly be a crime. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought.”  

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, said: 

“’Buffer zones’ are among the most concerning frontiers of censorship in the modern West. We all stand against harassment and abuse, but the ‘buffer zone’ law broadly bans ‘influence’ which is being interpreted by police officers to target innocent people who happen to stand in a certain place and believe a certain thing. We will continue to robustly challenge this unjust censorship, and support Isabel’s right to think and believe freely as is the right of every person in the UK.”  

Investigated for a “thoughtcrime” 

On 18 March 2025, West Midlands Police informed Ms Vaughan-Spruce she was under investigation for praying silently near the facility on 27 January 2025, as well as several other subsequent dates. 

Ms Vaughan-Spruce has been peacefully praying in the same public area on a regular basis for two decades. 

With legal support from ADF International, Ms Vaughan-Spruce sent numerous requests for clarification in proceeding months as to the status of her case, pointing out that the legislation does not function as a ban on her mere presence or on holding pro-life Christian beliefs.  

The Attorney General confirmed on 16 December 2025, in response to a parliamentary question from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP about Ms Vaughan-Spruce’s case, that: “The Crown Prosecution Service has issued proceedings under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, in relation to one case, since it was commenced on 31 October 2024.” 

Ms Vaughan-Spruce had not yet received information about the charging decision when this written answer was issued by the Attorney General, but was informed hours later in a letter from West Midlands Police. 

The length of time taken for a charging decision, nearly one year, was highly unusual for a case like hers.

The charge read: “[Isabel] stood outside of the Robert Clinic [the abortion facility]… intending that, or being reckless as to whether, it had the effect of influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services at an abortion clinic.”

Repeated injustice over silent “thoughtcrime” 

In 2023, the charitable volunteer was acquitted in court after being arrested for praying in a local “buffer zone,” under a Public Spaces Protection Order that banned “expressions of approval or disapproval” of abortion. The incident occurred while the abortion facility was closed. The prosecution offered no evidence to support a conviction. 

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Ms Vaughan-Spruce was arrested again for her silent thoughts in the same location weeks later in March 2023, opening an investigation that lasted several months. In August 2024, Ms Vaughan-Spruce successfully challenged her two unjust arrests and received a settlement from West Midlands Police of £13,000. 

On regular occasions, she has been approached by officers and asked if she is praying. Once, she was observed by two officers posted to watch her activities. 

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

Pictured: Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Jeremiah Igunnubole

TOMORROW: Scottish grandmother to plead in court for offering conversation in “buffer zone” 

  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” outside a Glasgow hospital.
  • Tomorrow she will enter a plead in court; ADF International is legally supporting the case.
  • Hearing follows Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference last week expressing concern about Mrs Docherty’s criminalisation.

GLASGOW (12 January 2026) – A Glaswegian grandmother will enter a plea in court tomorrow afternoon after she was arrested and criminally charged for offering consensual conversation in a “buffer zone”.  

Rose Docherty, 75, faces two charges related to alleged “influencing” within a “buffer zone”, despite having only stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow last September. 

She held a sign that read: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” and did not approach any individual or make any statement about abortion.  

Mrs Docherty will tomorrow enter a plea at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The hearing is due to start at 2pm.  

The Christian grandmother is the first person to be charged under Scotland’s censorial 2024 “buffer zone” law, which forbids harassment, intimidation and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services. The “buffer zones” are enforced within 200 metres of every hospital.  

The US State Department expressed concern over Mrs Docherty’s arrest as “another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe” and last week the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference also expressed concern, and strongly criticised Scotland’s “buffer zone” legislation. 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.   I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.”"

- Rose Docherty

Mrs Docherty said:  “Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.   

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.” 

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Jeremiah Igunnubole commented:  

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow.  

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

Following her arrest, Mrs Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement.  

This was Mrs Docherty’s second arrest for peacefully offering consensual conversation. Last August, Scottish authorities dropped their case against her for holding the same sign in the same place, after a global outcry against the 75-year-old grandmother’s arrest, including concerns raised in an online post by the US State Department.  

The US State Department commented on Mrs Docherty’s latest arrest:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe.  

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack.  

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.”  

The architect of Scotland’s “buffer zone” law, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier last year that the vague prohibitions in the legislation could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within a “buffer zone”, “depending on who’s passing by the window.”  

US Vice President JD Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February last year.  

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

Brazilian influencer under criminal investigation by police for criticizing gender ideology online 

  • Brazilian social media commentator Nine Borges subjected to criminal investigation by federal police for alleged “transphobia” after posting a video critical of gender ideology.
  • Borges’ case highlights a broader trend of government efforts in Brazil to censor peaceful online expression; ADF International supports her legal defence.

BRASILIA (12 January 2026) — A UK-based Brazilian social media commentator is under police investigation in Brazil after posting an online video criticizing public officials for using government money to fund pro-LGBT NGOs in Brazil. Nine Borges is a UK-based scientific consultant with 265,000 followers on Instagram, where she is a prominent critic of transgender ideology. In a short online video posted to Instagram in September 2024, in which she spoke to the camera from her home, she drew attention to concerns about the financing and influence of pro-LGBT organisations in Brazil and included criticism of Symmy Larrat, Brazil’s LGBT National Secretary. The video drew nearly 15,000 likes and 180,000 views. Larrat is a man who identifies as a woman and describes himself on social media using explicit terminology. After Larrat filed a complaint over the video, Borges was summoned for questioning by the Federal Police of Brasilia in October. She is now being investigated for alleged “transphobia” and “defamation.” Authorities have recommended the investigation move forward to formal prosecution. ADF International is providing legal support to Borges as a result of the investigation.

"No one should face criminal investigation simply for expressing their views about government policy. The attempt to classify peaceful criticism as ‘transphobia’ represents a serious threat to freedom of speech, which is already so imperiled in Brazil. The authorities must ensure that fundamental rights are protected, not punished."

- Julio Pohl, Legal Counsel at ADF International

“No one should face criminal investigation simply for expressing their views about government policy. The attempt to classify peaceful criticism as ‘transphobia’ represents a serious threat to freedom of speech, which is already so imperiled in Brazil. The authorities must ensure that fundamental rights are protected, not punished,” said Julio Pohl, legal counsel at ADF International. 

Background

Borges is a Brazilian social media commentator who currently resides in the UK. In September 2024, she published a video on Instagram drawing public attention to concerns about the financing and influence of pro-LGBT organisations in Brazil. The video included criticism of a high-ranking government official.  Shortly afterward, Brazil’s LGBT National Secretary filed a complaint, and authorities opened a criminal investigation. In August 2025, Borges received formal notice that she was being investigated for “transphobia” and “defamation,” prompting her summons to appear before police on October 7, 2025.  The following month, on November 5, police informed Borges that they would recommend moving the investigation forward to formal prosecution for “transphobia” and “misgendering” the LGBT Secretary—an official who self-describes as a “transvestite” and “prostitute.” Borges had used these same terms in her commentary, and police cited this as the basis for pursuing prosecution.  A 2019 ruling from Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal established “transphobia” and “homophobia” as crimes, punishable with up to five years of jail time per count. Overstepping Congress, the Court created a crime without observing the legal and democratic process. Since then, numerous cases have emerged across Brazil in which individuals were charged with “transphobia” for simply sharing their beliefs.   In 2025, social media influencer Isabella Cepa faced criminal investigations for her online post about gender ideology. In another case, Assemblies of God Pastor Douglas Baptista faced criminal charges for authoring a book with a Christian view of sexuality. His case was legally supported by ADF International. Charges in both cases were dropped, but they remain evidence of the broader, chilling trend of government efforts in Brazil to censor peaceful online expression.  “I spoke out because the public deserves to know what is happening in their own country. I will not be intimidated for sharing my views online. I have the right to question powerful officials. Brazilians everywhere should have the same freedom without fear of investigation or arrest,” said Nine Borges. 

Growing Pattern of Censorship in Brazil

International human rights law guarantees the right to express ideas without fear of criminal investigation or prosecution, including criticism of public officials. ADF International represents five Brazilian legislators (Senator Eduardo Girao and members of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Van Hattem, Adriana Ventura, Gilson Marques, and Ricardo Salles) before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The legislators are challenging the violations of their free speech rights before the Commission. They claim violations of their rights under the Convention, including their freedom of expression, as a result of escalating state censorship which reached a head with last year’s X ban in Brazil during the municipal elections period. Censorship in Brazil has been a persistent and escalating problem since 2019.

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

Glasgow Grandmother in court for offering chat in “buffer zone”

  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a Glasgow hospital
  • Prosecution back down on “disproportionate” bail conditions; two charges relate to alleged “influencing” within the censorial “buffer zone” 

GLASGOW (19 December 2025) – Glaswegian grandmother Rose Docherty appeared in court, having been criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear."

- Rose Docherty

Docherty, 75, has been charged for “influencing” within the buffer zone, despite only having stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, nor making any statement on abortion. 

She is the first person to be charged under Scotland’s new “buffer zone” law, enacted in 2024.

After her arrest, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Following the hearing, Docherty said: “I can’t believe I am here today. I simply stood, in love and compassion, offering consensual conversation to anyone who wanted to engage.

Nobody should be criminalised just for offering a chat.

I’d like to thank my legal team, and all who came to be with me today, as well as all those others around the world who have voiced their support.

Conversation is not a crime on the streets of Glasgow.”

In a win for Rose’s liberty, the prosecution today rolled back bail conditions, previously described as “disproportionate” by ADF International, which had prevented Rose from attending an area far wider than the buffer zone itself. 

The next hearing will take place on 13th January 2026.

A case of international concern 

Following the arrest, which was seen on a viral video across the world, the U.S. State Department expressed concern:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe. 

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack. 

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.” 

Lois McLatchie Miller, Scottish Spokesperson for ADF International, said:

“It is not a crime to have a chat on the streets of Glasgow. Rose merely held a sign offering consensual conversations to other adults in the area. It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a peaceful grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

FRIDAY: Glasgow Grandmother to appear in court for offering to talk in “buffer zone”

Rose Docherty in Scotland
  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a Glasgow hospital 
  • “The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe”, U.S. State Department has warned 
Above: Rose Docherty was arrested after offering consensual conversation in a buffer zone in September 2025.

GLASGOW (17 December 2025) – Glaswegian grandmother Rose Docherty will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at her First Hearing on Friday, having been criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear."

- Rose Docherty

Despite only having stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, nor making any statement on abortion – Docherty has been charged with breaching the “buffer zone.” 

Following the arrest, which was seen on a viral video across the world, the U.S. State Department expressed concern:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe. 

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack. 

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.” 

After her arrest, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Docherty was charged and released on bail. Stringent bail conditions prevent her from attending an area marked out to be wider than the initial “buffer zone” area, in a move the legal team at ADF International call “disproportionate”.  

Reacting to her arrest, Rose Docherty said: 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.”

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Jeremiah Igunnubole commented: 

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

One hundred experts write to European Commission warning EU legislation risks censoring global speech

  • Letter calls on Commission to consult free speech experts as part of review into censorial Digital Services Act (DSA)
  • Letter from free speech experts, which was coordinated by ADF International, comes after US Ambassador to EU and Google recently expressed concerns that DSA risks censoring American online speech

BRUSSELS (9 October 2025) – More than 100 free speech experts from around the world today wrote to the European Commission warning that an EU law risks censoring global speech online.

In a letter to the European Commission, the 113 experts, including a former VP of Yahoo Europe, a former US Senator, and politicians, academics, lawyers and journalists from around the globe, called on the Commission to consult free speech experts as part of its review into the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which will take place by 17 November.

The letter, which was coordinated by free speech legal advocacy organisation ADF International, states: “[The DSA] constructs a pan-European censorship infrastructure with loosely defined boundaries and the potential to suppress legitimate democratic discourse…

“The wide definition of illegal content allows the most speech-restrictive provisions of one single EU country to be imposed as a standard across the entire Union, and potentially worldwide, effectively importing the lowest common denominator of expression.”

The letter added: “The broad definition of ‘illegal content’ in the DSA, combined with existing jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) opens the door to worldwide takedowns.”

Signatories include ADF International Executive Director Paul Coleman, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom Kristen Waggoner, former Vice President of Yahoo Europe Jean-Marc Potdevin, former US Senator and former US Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, Founder and General Secretary of the Free Speech Union Toby Young, former President of the American Civil Liberties Union Nadine Strossen, award-winning journalist and author Michael Shellenberger and Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

Cross-party Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) also signed the letter, including ECR MEP Stephen Bartulica, EPP MEP Branko Grims, and Patriots MEP Virginie Joron, as well as McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University Robert P George, American philosopher and author Peter Boghossian, child protection advocate Chris Elston aka Billboard Chris and other experts from the UK, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Read the full letter, see the full list of signatories and sign the public version of the letter here.

Opaque review process into DSA

The letter expresses concern over the European Commission’s opaque review process into the DSA and calls on the Commission to: “Conduct a comprehensive and inclusive consultation with independent experts in freedom of expression, constitutional law, and digital rights, ahead of the November review, inviting public comments.

“Publicly disclose the list of NGOs, civil society actors, and partner entities engaged in the review process, including the criteria and methodology used for their selection.

“Ensure that the review includes a rigorous legal analysis of the DSA’s compatibility with fundamental rights protections, especially under Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, Article 10 of the ECHR, and Article 19 of the ICCPR.”

Concerns from US Ambassador to the EU

The experts’ letter to the European Commission comes after the US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder last week expressed concern that the DSA risks censoring American citizens, and follows Google warning the DSA threatens American speech.

Ambassador Puzder last week said: “No President of either party, and I can tell you President Trump in particular, is going to tolerate a foreign government restricting the First Amendment fundamental free speech, free expression rights of American citizens, to an extent that the United States government can’t even regulate those rights.

“So we need to come to an understanding as to what’s happening with the Digital Services Act.”

Ambassador Puzder has also reportedly said the United States will make formal submissions under the European Commission’s review of its digital legislation.

The letter’s warning about the threat of global DSA censorship reinforces Ambassador Puzder’s and Google’s concerns.

 

Dr Adina Portaru, Brussels-based Senior Counsel, Europe for ADF International said:

“The European Commission claims the DSA will not censor speech and will merely create a safer online environment. In this letter, one hundred free speech experts vehemently disagree.

“The US Ambassador to the EU and Google recently expressed concern that the DSA threatens American online speech. This letter from experts reinforces these concerns and warns that the legislation threatens to impose an online censorship regime not just in the EU, but across the whole world.

“The Commission must urgently engage with these concerns in their review of the DSA, and act to ensure freedom of expression is protected online.”

 

French MEP and signatory of the letter Virginie Joron said:

“The French digital regulator ARCOM told me they believe the DSA allows them to censor any post anywhere in the world using the DSA. That means even an American citizen posting in Alabama could potentially have their online post taken down, even if the publication would be legal in the US.

“This already happened in 2023 after the Annecy terror attack in a playground in the South of France where a migrant from Syria stabbed four babies and toddlers. A reaction from a US citizen was taken down, as described in the report from the US Congress.”

As well as warning about the possibility of global takedown orders under the DSA, the letter also quotes the US House Judiciary Committee in highlighting another way the EU legislation risks censoring global online speech: “Because many social media platforms generally maintain one set of content moderation policies that they apply globally, restrictive censorship laws like the DSA may set de facto global censorship standards.”

Read more about the DSA here.

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

(From left to right: Dr Adina Portaru, Brussels-based Senior Counsel, Europe for ADF International; French MEP Virginie Joron)

U.S. State Department: Arrest of Scottish Christian Grandmother is “Tyrannical”

  • Christian grandmother arrested a second time; criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a hospital
  • “The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe”, warns U.S. State Department 

GLASGOW (29 September 2025) – The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the arrest of 75-year-old Rose Docherty, as seen in a viral video over the weekend. 

The Glasgwegian grandmother has been criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

"The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights."

- U.S. State Department Spokesperson

Responding to the arrest, the U.S. State Department told the Telegraph: 

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe. 

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack. 

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.” 

Despite only having offered consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, nor making any statement on abortion – Docherty has been charged with breaching the “buffer zone.” 

Reacting to her arrest, Rose Docherty said: 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.” 

In August, Scottish authorities dropped their case against Docherty for holding the same sign in the same place after a global outcry against the 75-year-old grandmother’s arrest, including concerns raised in an online post by the U.S. State Department. 

After her arrest this week, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Docherty has been charged and released on bail. Stringent bail conditions prevent her from attending an area marked out to be wider than the initial “buffer zone” area, in a move the legal team at ADF International call “disproportionate”.  

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Lorcan Price commented: 

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

Pictured: Rose Docherty, Lorcan Price (ADF International)

Glasgow Grandmother arrested AGAIN for offering conversations in abortion “buffer zone”

  • Christian grandmother arrested a second time; criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a hospital
  • Rose Docherty, aged 75, left without chair for two hours in a police cell – despite having two hip replacements 

GLASGOW (27 September 2025) – 75-year-old grandmother Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear."

- Rose Docherty

Despite only having stood silently offering consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, Docherty has been charged with breaching the “buffer zone.” 

Reacting to her arrest, Rose Docherty said: 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.” 

In August, Scottish authorities dropped their case against Docherty for holding the same sign in the same place after a global outcry against the 75-year-old grandmother’s arrest, including concerns raised in an online post by the U.S. State Department. 

After her arrest this week, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Docherty has been charged and released on bail. Stringent bail conditions prevent her from attending an area marked out to be wider than the initial “buffer zone” area, in a move the legal team at ADF International call “disproportionate”.  

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Lorcan Price commented: 

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only

Pictured: Rose Docherty, Lorcan Price (ADF International)