VP Mention Sparks Praise From Man Convicted For Silent Prayer
Adam Smith-Connor, a British Army veteran and father of two, has thanked U.S. Vice President JD Vance for bringing attention to his legal case during a speech to global leaders. In October 2023, Smith-Connor was convicted for silently praying within a designated buffer zone outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, England. He received a two-year conditional discharge and a fine of £9,000 ($11,335). Vance highlighted this case during his address at a security conference in Munich, using it as an example of the growing restrictions on conscience rights and free speech in the UK, especially concerning religious freedoms.
Vance described how Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and former soldier, was charged for the “grave offense” of praying quietly for three minutes, while standing 50 meters from the clinic without causing any obstruction or interaction. He pointed out that this case was part of a broader troubling trend in Western countries where freedom of thought and conscience is being increasingly limited, with the UK serving as a prominent example.
Smith-Connor, who is appealing his conviction, expressed deep gratitude toward Vance for drawing international attention to his case. He emphasized that no individual should face legal consequences simply for praying or holding private thoughts. His comments reflect growing concerns about the criminalization of peaceful religious expression in public areas.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, a legal advisor for ADF International, the organization supporting Smith-Connor’s appeal, condemned the act of criminalizing personal prayers and beliefs within buffer zones as an extreme form of censorship. He also criticized law enforcement priorities, arguing that while crime continues to rise in England, resources are being misallocated to punish peaceful individuals who wish to pray.
The case has ignited concerns about a “two-tier policing” system, where the rights of peaceful individuals are restricted while more serious offenses are overlooked. Igunnubole called for the UK government to restore basic human rights protections and praised Vice President Vance for bringing these issues to the forefront, urging the government to address the growing erosion of free speech and thought in the country.