U.S. State Department concerned over conviction of British pro-life activist

The U.S. State Department has raised concerns about the conviction of a British woman, Livia Tossici-Bolt, for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic. The 64-year-old retired scientist and leader of the U.S.-based group "40 Days for Life" was found guilty by Judge Orla Austin at Poole Magistrates’ Court for breaching a 15-meter exclusion zone, known as a buffer zone, around the clinic in Bournemouth, England. She held a sign reading "Here to talk, if you want" on two consecutive days in March 2023.

The court sentenced Tossici-Bolt to a conditional discharge and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £20,000 ($25,710) by May 31. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor expressed disappointment via X, stating, "Freedom of expression must be protected for all."

Tossici-Bolt expressed her gratitude for the U.S. government's attention to her case, emphasizing the significance of freedom of expression. "My conviction for offering consensual conversation has been very difficult, not only for me personally, but also because I care deeply about preserving freedom of expression in the UK," she commented. She contended that she did not breach the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and that her right to offer consensual conversations was protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act.

Despite her arguments, Judge Austin cited that local council officers reasonably believed Tossici-Bolt violated the PSPO. The judge pointed out that while Tossici-Bolt held pro-life views, the case focused on the PSPO breach rather than the abortion debate. Tossici-Bolt insisted she did not protest, harass, or obstruct anyone.

Tossici-Bolt criticized the state of freedom of expression in the UK, calling it a crisis, and indicated her willingness to appeal the conviction, supported by ADF International. The case has drawn comparisons to another incident involving Catholic war veteran Adam Smith-Connor, who plans to appeal a similar conviction.

The U.S. State Department had been monitoring Tossici-Bolt's case, highlighting concerns about freedom of expression in the UK. A source close to US-UK trade negotiations mentioned that "there would be no free trade without free speech."

Robert Clarke, ADF International director of advocacy, welcomed the U.S. government's focus, saying, "The State Department has every reason to be disappointed by the verdict." The case brought renewed attention to similar issues, such as the arrest of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce for silently praying outside an abortion clinic, though she was not prosecuted.