Influencing near UK abortion facilities criminalized as gov plans to roll out nationwide buffer zones [Video]

The United Kingdom expanded its so-called “buffer zone” law to apply to the area around every abortion facility nationwide starting October 31.

The national law, applying to England and Wales, criminalizes the act of “influencing” someone’s decision to “access” abortion services within 150 meters, or almost 500 feet, of any abortion facility, which critics argue is a violation of freedom of speech and thought. 

The move comes after almost 60,000 people signed an open letter asking UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to protect freedom of thought, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK, which is supporting the legal defense of four individuals prosecuted for praying or offering help inside “safe access” or “buffer” zones. 

“It is an offense for a person who is within a safe access zone to do an act with the intent of… influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services at an abortion clinic,” the Public Order Act of 2023 reads. 

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