{"id":61780,"date":"2024-09-17T11:18:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/?p=61780"},"modified":"2024-09-20T10:19:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T08:19:13","slug":"today-trial-begins-for-army-vet-who-prayed-silently-near-abortion-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/silent-prayer-trial-begins-for-army-vet","title":{"rendered":"TODAY: Trial begins for army vet who prayed silently near abortion facility"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"61780\" class=\"elementor elementor-61780 elementor-61779\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c107ab2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c107ab2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2a886b0a\" data-id=\"2a886b0a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3565aaef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3565aaef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\">Father of two, who served in Afghanistan, faces criminal trial for praying silently in abortion \u201cbuffer zone\u201d in Bournemouth &#8211; ADF UK supporting legal defence<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\">Sir Edward Leigh, Miriam Cates react to \u00abthoughtcrime\u00bb trial taking place at Poole Magistrates&#8217; Court<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW172246439 BCX0\"><strong>UK Government to roll out \u201cbuffer zones\u201d<\/strong> <strong>nationwide, imminently &#8211; human rights experts warn against plans to name \u00absilent prayer\u00bb as a crime in buffer zone guidance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44a87b7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"44a87b7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-38225\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c35083a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c35083a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">DORSET (17<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> September 2024) \u2013 <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Poole Magistrates\u2019 Court will hear the case of Adam Smith-Connor, the father and army veteran criminally charged for praying silently near an abortion facility in Bournemouth, in a three day trial beginning TODAY &#8211; until 19th September.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Bournemouth, Christchurch &amp; Poole Council filed the charges on the basis that Smith-Connor was praying within a censored \u201cbuffer zone\u201d &#8211; an area covering several streets in the town \u2013 in which authorities have banned various expressions of pro-life or Christian belief, including through offering help to women in crisis pregnancies, or praying.<\/span><\/p><p><a style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing ); background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk\/Assets\/Crime-safety-and-emergencies\/PSPOs\/Ophir-Road-and-surrounding-area-Public-Spaces-Protection-Order-PSPO.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full text of the Public Spaces Protection Order here.<\/a><a style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing ); background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk\/Assets\/Crime-safety-and-emergencies\/PSPOs\/Ophir-Road-and-surrounding-area-Public-Spaces-Protection-Order-PSPO.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0<\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"auto\">The defence contends that a mere thought cannot amount to a crime, and authorities must not criminalise citizens for the opinions or beliefs they hold in their minds on any given public street.<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18f74167 elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"18f74167\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #AF272F\">\"It is unfathomable that in an apparently free society, I am being criminally charged on the basis of my silent thoughts, in the privacy of my own mind.<\/span> It\u2019s not different than being tried for a thoughtcrime.\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">- Adam Smith-Connor, facing trial on Tuesday for silently praying in a \"buffer zone\"<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a21e05c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a21e05c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On the date in question, Smith-Connor prayed silently for approximately three minutes before being approached by police officers. The legal proceedings have continued for almost two years, and the trial is scheduled to take place for three days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Council has so far run up legal fees &#8211; charged to the public purse &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in excess of \u00a334k to prosecute an offence carrying a maximum fine of \u00a31k.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34c294f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"34c294f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\"What is the nature of your prayer?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e30d26c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e30d26c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6884b796\" data-id=\"6884b796\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-734fe0b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"734fe0b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\">Smith-Connor was issued a fixed penalty notice on 13<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW237217440 BCX0\" data-fontsize=\"11\">th<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\"> December 2022. The notice detailed that he had been \u201c<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\">praying for his deceased son\u201d <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\">a month earlier on 24<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW237217440 BCX0\" data-fontsize=\"11\">th<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\"> November 2022 near an abortion facility on <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW237217440 BCX0\">Orphir<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237217440 BCX0\"> Road in Bournemouth where an abortion facility censorship zone or \u201cbuffer zone\u201d is in place.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW237217440 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:330}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-645b5357\" data-id=\"645b5357\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d16327b elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"4d16327b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/hjUphe7mktE&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"youtube-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"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\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-youtube\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/yt_hjUphe7mktE_hqdefault.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">Est\u00e1s viendo un contenido de marcador de posici\u00f3n de <strong>YouTube<\/strong>. Para acceder al contenido real, haz clic en el siguiente bot\u00f3n. Ten en cuenta que al hacerlo compartir\u00e1s datos con terceros proveedores.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">M\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Desbloquear contenido<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Aceptar el servicio requerido y desbloquear los contenidos<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-303e1d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"303e1d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>During their interaction with Smith-Connor, which was captured on video, officers asked the father of two, \u00abwhat is the nature of your prayer?\u00bb<\/p><p><span style=\"color: #54575c;\" data-contrast=\"none\">Smith-Connor, who now regrets having paid for an abortion for his ex-girlfriend in the past, was praying about his experience, about the child whom he lost, and for the men and women facing difficult decisions about abortion today. He prayed with his back to the facility to avoid any impression of approaching or engaging with women using the facility.<\/span><span style=\"color: #54575c;\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:330}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dcf8e18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dcf8e18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A lack of clarity from police<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-620e786 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"620e786\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Smith-Connor\u2019s case has unveiled confusion amongst police officers regarding the permissibility of silent prayer in UK law.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">In a filmed encounter with police on another occasion in which Smith-Connor had silently prayed in the same spot, officers had informed him that he was not breaking the law, remarking, \u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">this is England and it\u2019s a public place and you\u2019re entitled to do that.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/i\/status\/1681224259606048768\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WATCH THE INTERACTION HERE.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2deb7e37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2deb7e37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIn various other circumstances, the police and the courts have made it clear that silent prayer is not a criminal act. And yet, BCP Council, which has already conceded that presence is not in itself an offence, has introduced a rights-restricting censorship zone, which they now argue extends to a ban on silent prayer,\u201d <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">said Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, supporting Smith-Connor&#8217;s defense.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIn permitting the prosecution of silent prayer, we are sailing into dangerous waters regarding human rights protections in the UK. Censorship zones are inherently wrong and engender unhelpful legal confusion regarding the right to free thought. Both domestic and international law have long established freedom of thought as an absolute right that must not ever be interfered with by the state. <\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><i>\u00abThe Telegraph recently reported that Ministers are considering naming \u00absilent prayer\u00bb as a crime in their \u00abbuffer zones\u00bb guidance &#8211; to do so would not only be a legal error, it could open up the floodgates to human rights violations similar to those experienced by Adam Smith-Connor,\u201d he cont<\/i>inued.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8f9db2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b8f9db2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A series of British \"thoughtcrime\" trials<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fa7610 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fa7610\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Smith-Connor&#8217;s case will mark the third in a series of high-profile cases in which citizens have been tried in court for praying silently in their heads within abortion facility \u201cbuffer zones\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"none\">In March 2022, charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce and Catholic priest Father Sean Gough, were both found \u201cnot guilty\u201d after facing criminal charges for similar actions to Smith-Connor.\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing ); background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/adf.uk\/not-guilty\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Read more.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"none\">Though being found \u201cnot guilty\u201d of breaching the censorship zone or \u201cbuffer zone\u201d with her thoughts, Vaughan-Spruce was arrested a second time in March after she prayed silently in the same spot near the abortion facility once again. Six police officers attended the scene. In August 2024, police paid Vaughan-Spruce a settlement of \u00a313,000 for her two unlawful arrests.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"none\">Five councils across the UK currently have active \u201cbuffer zones\u201d or censorship zones banning prayer and offers of charitable help to women on the public streets near abortion facilities.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"auto\">On 7<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0March 2023, the UK Parliament voted to roll out \u201cbuffer zones\u201d around every abortion facility in England &amp; Wales as part of the Public Order Act 2023. The Labour Government are expected to implement the zones imminently. Last month,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/politics\/2024\/08\/15\/home-office-review-ban-silent-prayer-abortion-clinics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Telegraph reported<\/a>\u00a0that Ministers are considering naming \u201csilent prayer\u201d as a criminal activity within the guidance of the new law.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"color: #54575c;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Ahead of the trial, Adam Smith-Connor commented:<\/span><\/span><\/p><p style=\"color: #54575c;\"><i>\u201cNobody should be prosecuted for silent prayer. It is unfathomable that in an apparently free society, I am being criminally charged on the basis of my silent thoughts, in the privacy of my own mind. It\u2019s not different than being tried for a thoughtcrime.<\/i><\/p><p style=\"color: #54575c;\"><i style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\">\u201cI served for 20 years in the army reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan, to protect the fundamental freedoms that this country is built upon. I continue that spirit of service as a health care professional and church volunteer. It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes are now being prosecuted in the UK.\u00bb<\/i><\/p><p style=\"color: #54575c;\">Smith-Connor&#8217;s trial was originally scheduled to take place in November 2023, but was delayed by the Court. At Poole Magistrates&#8217; Court, Smith-Connor delivered an emotional address to supporters &#8211; see below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-967f9ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"967f9ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=tDnCjEE_6Wg&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"youtube-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"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\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-youtube\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/yt_tDnCjEE_6Wg_hqdefault.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">Est\u00e1s viendo un contenido de marcador de posici\u00f3n de <strong>YouTube<\/strong>. Para acceder al contenido real, haz clic en el siguiente bot\u00f3n. Ten en cuenta que al hacerlo compartir\u00e1s datos con terceros proveedores.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">M\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Desbloquear contenido<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Aceptar el servicio requerido y desbloquear los contenidos<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62f7e862 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"62f7e862\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e13b5e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e13b5e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only<\/p><p>Pictured: Adam Smith-Connor; Adam Smith-Connor praying outside Poole Magistrates Court with Isabel Vaughan-Spruce; Jeremiah Igunnubole, ADF UK<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61e04bd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"61e04bd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;1:1&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:4,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/adam-scaled-1.jpg\" 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data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"61e04bd3\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"ADAM PRAYING Scaled 1.jpg\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDY5MTAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9hZGZpbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLm9yZ1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNFwvMDRcL0FEQU0tUFJBWUlORy1zY2FsZWQtMS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2MWUwNGJkMyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ADAM-PRAYING-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"683\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Adam-and-Isabel-praying.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" 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data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"61e04bd3\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Jeremiah Igunnubole 400x400px\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDM2ODUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9hZGZpbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLm9yZ1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyMVwvMDVcL0plcmVtaWFoX0lndW5udWJvbGVfNDAweDQwMHB4LndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2MWUwNGJkMyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Jeremiah_Igunnubole_400x400px.webp\" data-width=\"400\" data-height=\"400\" aria-label=\"Jeremiah Igunnubole of ADF UK\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Father of two, who served in Afghanistan, faces criminal trial for praying silently in abortion \u201cbuffer zone\u201d in Bournemouth &#8211; ADF UK supporting legal defence Sir Edward Leigh, Miriam Cates react to \u00abthoughtcrime\u00bb trial taking place at Poole Magistrates&#8217; Court UK Government to roll out \u201cbuffer zones\u201d nationwide, imminently &#8211; human rights experts warn against [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":38225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[1190,63,67],"class_list":["post-61780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-adam-2","tag-censorship","tag-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ 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