Judge Grapples With Decision On British Pastor’s Fate

In a pivotal moment within a London courtroom, 72-year-old Christian preacher Stephen Green finds himself at the heart of a legal struggle centered around allegations linked to his display of a sign featuring a verse from Psalm 139 within a designated “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic. The imminent verdict, to be delivered by District Judge Kathryn Verghis, hinges on section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Green’s actions, involving the exhibition of a sign outside a West London MSI Reproductive Choices clinic, resulted in charges filed by Ealing Council for violating a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) established in 2018.

Should Green be deemed guilty, the potential consequences loom large—a six-month imprisonment and/or a fine approximating $1,250. The distinct nature of the PSPO lies in the creation of a “buffer zone” around the clinic, expressly forbidding a range of activities, including abortion-related protests, prayer, and expressions of approval or disapproval. This extends beyond the conventional use of PSPOs, which typically address issues classified as “anti-social” behavior.

The evidential basis, primarily derived from a clinic staff member’s account, indicates that Green’s actions, which encompassed reading aloud from the Bible, persisted for about an hour and prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. Despite his departure before the arrival of the police, Green found himself served with a prosecution notice seven months later.

This legal confrontation assumes broader significance in the context of the introduction of national “buffer zones” surrounding abortion clinics in January 2023. Apprehensions have been voiced regarding potential encroachments on free speech and access to alternatives for vulnerable women. The government is actively seeking public input on draft guidance, recognizing the imperative to align buffer zones with human rights, including freedom of expression and religious beliefs. The guidance explicitly upholds silent prayer as an inviolable right and underscores that motionless, unintrusive conduct should not be construed as an offense. Green perceives this prosecution as an affront to both the Bible and freedom of speech, vehemently defending his actions as a matter of principle and underscoring the pivotal role of freedom in public expression.

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