On Feb. 24, 2021, Rosa Lalor left her home in Liverpool, England, to go for a walk. By the end of that walk, the 76-year-old grandmother found herself apprehended and then questioned by police officers — before eventually being fined. 

Her crime: praying silently on a public street. 

Today, she is in court fighting against that fine. 

Mrs. Lalor’s walk came at an unusual time. She walked and prayed during the 2021 lockdown. This was something she did almost every day during that period. Such walks were permitted by the government guidelines, encouraged even for all U.K. citizens, who were then subject to the strictures of repeated lockdowns and resultant COVID regulations.

Lalor wore a face covering; she was socially distanced; she was alone; and she was wearing headphones. She bothered no one. Doubtless, she was hardly noticed by anyone.

Crucially, however, on that February day, Lalor found herself walking past an abortion facility. When she did, as many have done before and since outside such places, she began to pray silently. 

Suddenly, she was confronted by police officers. They began to question her. “Why are you outdoors?” She answered simply that she was “walking and praying.” On hearing this, the police officer responded that Lalor was not praying in a place of worship, and, furthermore, she did not have a “reasonable excuse” to be outdoors at that time. The officer went on to assert that she was outside the abortion facility to “protest.” 

Lalor was arrested. 

She was taken to a waiting police car. 

She was detained there.

She was charged by police officers with breaching COVID regulations.

She was fined £200 ($250).

But that has not been the end of the matter. 

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