A 74-year-old woman has been charged after silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Scotland less than a week after U.S. Vice President JD Vance highlighted the draconian thought crime laws in the UK.
The pro-life activist has reportedly become the first person to be arrested and charged under Scotland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, the BBC
reported.
The law, which came into force last year, prohibits any protests or vigils being held within 200m (656ft) of abortion clinics in Scotland, mirroring similar restrictions enacted in England and Wales.
In
footage widely distributed on social media, the 74-year-old woman was heard asking police: “Am I committing an offence?” to which an officer was heard responding: “Yes, I believe you are conducting a silent vigil”.
The woman was also seen carrying a sign that read, “Coercion is a crime. I’m here to talk, only if you want.”
