Army Veteran fined for silent prayer
Bournemouth local authorities have fined a man for praying near an abortion facility.
Adam Smith-Connor, an army veteran, was silently praying in a “censorship zone”, with his back to the clinic, mindful of the privacy of staff and attendees of the abortion facility, when he was approached by “community safety accredited officers”.
When asked what he was doing, Smith-Connor said that he was “praying for my son, who is deceased”.
The Council stated that the fine is based on the statement.
A censorship zone or “buffer zone” has been enforced since 13 October 2022 and was implemented by local authorities through a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
PSPO criminalise engaging in “an act” or even “attempted act” of “approval/disapproval with respect to issues related to abortion services ... including graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling” within the area surrounding an abortion facility.
Alliance Defending Freedom UK is supporting Smith-Connor to challenge his fine.
“Nobody should be criminalised for what they believe – especially not when they express that belief silently, in the privacy of their own minds. Just like in the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce last month, Adam could now face prosecution for holding thoughts, and lifting those thoughts to God in prayer, within a censorship zone. The rapid proliferation of orders criminalising volunteers such as Adam and Isabel should be a wake up call to all those who value freedom of expression – even freedom of thought – no matter their views on abortion.”
In response to receiving the fine, Smith-Connor explained that:
“22 years ago I drove my ex-girlfriend to a facility and paid for her to have an abortion. It was a pivotal moment in my life. The consequences of my actions that day came back to grieve my years later, when I realised I had lost my son Jacob to an abortion I had paid for. Recently, I stood outside a similar facility and prayed to God for my son Jacob, for other babies who have lost their lives to abortion, for their grieving families, and for abortion clinic staff.”
“I would never have imagined being in a position to risk a criminal record for praying silently. In the past, I assisted with abortions in hospital as part of my army medical training, but now I pray for those who perform abortions because I realise how harmful abortion is to women and families, and that every single human life is valuable – no matter how small. Most of all, I’m moved to pray because of what happened to my son, Jacob.”
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