Prayer is under fire.
A pro-life activist in Scotland, Rose Docherty, was recently confronted by police while holding a silent vigil outside an abortion clinic. Docherty, who held a sign that read, “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want,” was told by law enforcement that she was violating a Scottish law enacted in September 2024, which bans pro-life demonstrations, including silent prayers, in “Safe Access Zones” near abortion clinics. Despite her claims that she was simply offering conversation and not actively protesting, the officers insisted her presence was considered a silent vigil and was therefore illegal.
The confrontation between Docherty and the police highlights ongoing tensions regarding the treatment of pro-life activists in the U.K., which gained additional attention following a speech by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. During his speech at the Munich Security Conference, Vance condemned the prosecution of conservatives for peacefully protesting against abortion. He specifically mentioned another case involving Adam Smith-Connor, a pro-life activist in England who was fined for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. Smith-Connor expressed gratitude for Vance’s support, especially the vice president’s defense of individuals praying silently in public spaces.
In addition to Smith-Connor, another prominent pro-life activist, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, has also faced repeated confrontations with law enforcement for engaging in silent prayer outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham, England. Although recent guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service stated that silent prayer outside such clinics is “not necessarily” a crime, Vaughan-Spruce was still asked to leave the area by local police. She had previously received financial compensation for wrongful treatment related to her silent prayer activities.
These incidents illustrate the increasing legal restrictions placed on pro-life demonstrations in the U.K., particularly in the context of Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics. While activists argue that they are exercising their rights to peaceful expression, authorities contend that these activities violate established laws protecting clinic access. The debates around these issues continue, with pro-life advocates seeking to challenge the boundaries of free speech and religious expression in public spaces.