A retired medical scientist in the UK has been found guilty of violating a “buffer zone” around an abortion facility in Bournemouth. She was fined 20,000 pounds ($26,028) for holding a sign that said only, “Here to talk, if you want to.”
Two years ago, Livia Tossici-Bolt, originally from Italy, stood outside of the abortion facility twice in March 2023 with her sign of support for women, several of whom did take her up on her offer to talk, engaging in peaceful conversation about issues they were facing in their lives. However, authorities confronted her and told her she was in violation of a buffer zone policy that forbids any expression that might be perceived as pro-life.
Police gave her a Fixed Penalty Notice, but Tossici-Bolt refused to pay the fine, leading the Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council to issue charges against her.
The UK’s buffer zone law made it illegal for anyone to do anything within a 150-meter radius of an abortion business that could be perceived as an intentional act to influence a woman’s decision to abort. Anyone found guilty would face an unlimited fine.
Following a trial that began last month, Judge Orla Austin convicted Tossici-Bolt of breaching the order, ruling that she was not lawfully exercising her right to freedom of expression. She was given a conditional discharge and in addition to the fine, she must not commit any additional offenses for the next two years.
READ: British Home Secretary informs UK police that ‘silent prayer… is not unlawful’
“I was not protesting and did not harass or obstruct anyone,” Tossici-Bolt said in a statement. “The U.S. State Department was right to be concerned by this case as it has serious implications for the entire Western world.” Tossici-Bolt has previously led 40 Days for Life peaceful prayer vigils in the UK.
Others have been arrested and charged in the UK for standing within abortion facility buffer zones — some displaying no signage at all. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been repeatedly arrested solely for silent prayer, which officers informed her was “an offense” within a Birmingham buffer zone. She eventually received a settlement after suing for wrongful arrest. Stephen Green, a 72-year-old preacher, was charged for displaying a Bible verse within one of the zones in London. Catholic priest Fr. Sean Gough was arrested in Birmingham for praying silently within the zone while holding a sign that read, “praying for free speech.” Military veteran Adam Smith-Connor was charged and found guilty for standing and silently praying in memory of his own aborted child within the buffer zone in Bournemouth — the same zone where Tossici-Bolt was arrested. Bournemouth authorities, despite being “cash-strapped,” reportedly spent around $194k (USD) to prosecute Smith-Connor and Tossici-Bolt.
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), a bureau within the U.S. Department of State, said on X on Sunday, “US-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.” In February, Vice President JD Vance spoke in Munich, saying that Europe appears to be moving away from democratic values, especially in the UK.
Last year, Tossici-Bolt challenged the buffer zone law at London’s High Court; the judges dismissed her claim that her rights were being violated. Stunningly, they ruled that silent prayer or handing out leaflets could be detrimental to others.
