Pro-Life Group Sues City for Prohibiting Prayer Outside Abortion Biz by Micaiah Bilger for Life News
British pro-life advocates are fighting back against a new Birmingham city ordinance that prohibits them from praying and peacefully reaching out to pregnant mothers outside abortion facilities.
The Christian Post reports Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who leads the 40 Days for Life Birmingham campaign, filed a lawsuit against the city this fall, arguing that the ordinance discriminates against peaceful pro-life advocates.
“Through this action, I am not asking for anyone to agree with what 40 Days believes; others have the right to disagree. However, I am asking for justice to be upheld despite our differences in belief,” Vaughan-Spruce said in a statement.
Support Our Site
Now is your chance to support Gospel News Network.
We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
Even using the word “baby” or “mother” near a city abortion facility could send pro-life advocates to jail for up to six months under the new ordinance, according to the Christian Legal Centre, which represents Vaughan-Spruce.
The Birmingham Public Spaces Protection Order, which passed in September, creates a buffer zone around abortion facilities that prevents pro-life advocates from praying or reaching out to pregnant mothers with information and support, the legal organization said.
The Christian Legal Centre described the ordinance as a “targeted clampdown on the 40 Days’ activities” even though the pro-life campaign has been peaceful and law-abiding.
“The buffer zone … has now essentially criminalized the group’s ministry by prohibiting any discussion of abortion within the area,” the legal organization said in a statement. “This includes prayer, counselling and providing information and support available to women in crisis pregnancies. Using the word ‘baby’ or ‘mum’ is also now an offence.”
Some of the pro-life advocates affected by the ordinance are mothers who have had abortions themselves and understand the devastating consequences of aborting an unborn baby, the legal organization continued.
