![]() ![]() Police officers have simply opted to arrest individuals previously considered insulting as ‘abusive’, which remains a criminal offence.Editor’s note: On May 22, USA Today published an opinion piece from Alliance Defending Freedom client Chelsea Mitchell ( Soule v. Yet, despite Parliament’s clear intention against the criminalization of insulting speech, arrests on these grounds have continued. T he ban on “insulting” speech, which allowed for subjective interpretations, was removed from the law 8 years ago, but a person is still guilty of an offence if he or she “uses threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour”. However, the Act is now more often used to arrest people for legitimate speech. How have we got here? The part of the Act (section 5) relating to the criminalization of abuse likely to cause harassment alarm and distress were largely introduced to give police powers to tackle violent football hooliganism and riots. It’s his basis for the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman – a view held by about 1 in 5 Brits. “ I was only saying what the Bible says – I wasn’t wanting to hurt anyone or cause offence,” refuted Sherwood. But in May 2020, local authorities censored him for the apparent use of “abusive words” likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress”. As part of his Christian calling, he preaches in the open air. Why isn’t the current law protecting free speech in the public square?ħ1-year-old John Sherwood has been a Pastor in North London for 35 years. Isabel is the Director of the UK March for Life and has volunteered for many years in support of women in crisis pregnancies. She has tirelessly served her community by providing charitable assistance to vulnerable women and children, and yet, she is being treated no better than a violent criminal because of her private thoughts. ![]() Isabel is currently out on bail, with police-imposed restrictions including engaging in public prayer, even beyond the PSPO area, stating that this is necessary to prevent further offences. If Isabel had stood in the same place thinking about another topic, she would not have been arrested. Isabel’s physical presence in the public space protection order (PSPO) area wasn’t a crime in itself it was the contents of her private thoughts that were prohibited. While harassment is already illegal, the censorship zone measure introduced by Birmingham authorities criminalises individuals perceived to be “engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval” in relation to abortion, including through “verbal or written means, prayer or counselling…” She was completely silent, until approached by officers who had received complaints that she may be praying silently in her mind. She wasn’t carrying a sign or engaging with anyone. In November 2022, Police approached Isabel Vaughan-Spruce standing near the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham. Meet the charity worker arrested and charged on four counts for silent prayer “thought crime” near an abortion facility. If committed civil servants like Päivi Räsänen are criminally charged for voicing their deeply held beliefs, it creates a chilling effect for everyone’s right to speak freely, ”said Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International and author of “ Censored“. Räsänen creates a culture of fear and censorship. The Finnish Prosecutor General’s decision to bring these charges against Dr. ![]() “Freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones of democracy. She is a medical doctor, mother of five children, and has seven grandchildren. Päivi Räsänen has served as a member of the Finnish Parliament since 1995, and was Minister of the Interior from 2011-2015. That decision was made in April 2021 and ADF International will continue supporting Räsänen’s defense and the right for everyone to freely share their beliefs. Räsänen has already attended several lengthy police interviews about her views and had to wait over a year for the General Prosecutor to decide whether to continue with the prosecution. As an active member of the Finnish Lutheran church, she addressed the leadership of her church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event ‘Pride 2019’, accompanied by an image of a Bible text. Police investigations against Räsänen started in June 2019. ![]()
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