JD Vance today claimed that freedom of expression is 'in retreat' in Great Britain and throughout Europe, while the American vice-president has supplied an amazing attack on American allies.
In a speech at Munich's security conference in Germany, Mr. Vance warned that the greatest threat of Europe did not come from China or Russia, but from within.
He said free speech and democratic institutions were eroded and Accused European politicians to force people to conclude social media accounts.
The vice-president also insisted on the leaders of the continent to do more to steal illegal immigration.
In a specific attack on the United Kingdom, he raised the case of an ex-service man who prayed outside of an abortion clinic and was convicted of violating a safe zone in the center.
“Europe stands for many challenges, but the crisis with which this continent is now confronted, the crisis that I believe we are all confronted together is one of our own making,” Mr. Vance told the conference.
“If you run out of fear of your own voters, there is nothing that America can do for you, nor is there something that you can do for the American people who have chosen me and chosen President Trump.”
He accused EU officials of canceling elections and asked if “we are sticking ourselves to a suitable higher standard.”
JD Vance today claimed that freedom of expression is 'in retreat' in Great Britain and throughout Europe, while the American vice-president has supplied an amazing attack on the allies of America
In a speech at Munich's security conference in Germany, Mr. Vance warned that the greatest threat of Europe did not come from China or Russia, but from within
“There is a new sheriff in the city,” Mr. Vance said, referring to the return of Donald Trump to the White House.
“We can't agree with your opinion, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it on the public square.”
Vance called the example of Adam Smith-Connor, who was arrested after refusing to leave a safe zone around an abortion clinic that was designed to protect vulnerable women.
He claimed that it was an attack on the 'fundamental freedoms of religious British' who criminalize 'prayer'.
Mr. Vance said: 'A little more than two years ago, the British government accused Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and a veteran of the army, with the horrific crime of an abortion clinic and quietly praying for three minutes, Nobody hinder, not dealing with someone, just just pray in silence.
'After the British law enforcement had seen him and demanded what he prayed for, Adam simply replied that on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had demolished years earlier.
'Now the officers were not moved – Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the new buffer zones law of the government, which criminalizes the silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person's decision within 200 meters of the abortion facility.
“He was convicted of paying thousands of pounds in legal costs for the persecution … in Great -Britain and throughout Europe, I fear, I have withdrawn.”
Vance called the example of Adam Smith-Connor, who was arrested after refusing to leave a safe zone around an abortion clinic that was designed to protect vulnerable women
In October 2022, a protection warrant on public spaces was introduced that forbade the activity, including protests, intimidation and wake
Smith-Connor denied this, but was found guilty last year because in November 2022 he did not comply with an order of the public space protection in the center in Bournemouth.
In England, where the incident with Smith-Connor took place, buffer zones are applicable within 150 meters from an abortion clinic, instead of 200 meters as vice-president seemed to claim.
The case preceded the enforcement of the Public Order Act 2023, which introduced new rules for safe access zones outside of all abortion clinics after a free voice in parliament that received support for the party.
In October 2022, a protection warrant for the protection of public spaces was introduced that forbade the activity, including protests, intimidation and wake.
Proponents of safe access zones say that women who use a clinic can feel intimidated by the presence of someone who is in the area, even if they do not speak, and that those who want to pray do this elsewhere.
Critics claim that the rule undermines the right of freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
Smith-Connor received a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay more than £ 9,000 in court costs and victim surcharge after the legal proceedings established by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
Mr. VANCE, Right, and NATO -Secretary -General Mark Rutte, left on the left, come together during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich security conference in Germany
The Ukrainian President VolodyMyr Zenskyr is speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Safety Conference. Mr. Vance was expected to meet him later on Friday
Elsewhere in his speech by Munich, VANCE accused European leaders of sounding the communist language by acting against 'disinformation' and 'wrong information'.
And he repeated Mr. Trump's long -term requirement that European countries spend more on their own defense.
'Although the Trump government is very concerned with European security and is of the opinion that we can achieve a reasonable arrangement between Russia and Ukraine, and we also believe that it is important for Europe for a great way in the coming years To increase, “he said.
'The biggest threat to Europe is not external – it is internal. A retreat from his own fundamental values, values ​​shared with the US. '
Mr. Vance was expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zensky later on Friday at the end of his five -day trip to Europe.
Their meeting was delayed because the plane from State Secretary Marco Rubio had to return to Washington after a mechanical problem on the way to the conference.
Mr. Trump surprised the European capitals this week by announcing that he had held a 90 -minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the end of the war in Ukraine.
The US president is accused of 'reconciliation' by Mr Putin after his administration said that the Ukraine did not support NATO as part of a settlement.
The American Minister of Defense Pete Hesget also suggested that KYIV might have to give Russia's territory after a return to the boundaries of Ukraine before 2014 was 'unrealistic'.
