'Intimidating' anti-abortion protests to start in Scotland
40 Days For Life will begin a six-week "prayer vigil" outside clinics offering abortion services in Scotland.
Last updated 28th Sep 2022
A six-week anti-abortion protest that could have an "intimidating effect" on service users has been called out by health professionals and pro-choice campaigners.
Texas-based organisation 40 Days For Life will begin a 40-day "prayer vigil" outside clinics offering abortion services in Scotland on September 28.
Their latest protest will run from 8am - 8pm until November 6, with healthcare services being targeted in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Falkirk.
The group - who previously confirmed they had network of several hundred volunteers in Scotland - was set up in 2004 by people protesting at an abortion facility in Texas.
Campaign group Back Off Scotland have been fighting for the right to harassment-free access to abortion services in Scotland since they were formed in 2020.
READ MORE: Fresh call for abortion clinic buffer zones
Co-founder Alice Murray, who experienced abortion clinic harassment herself, described the next round of protests as frustrating.
"It makes me feel sick"
She said: “It’s frustrating that tomorrow ‘40 days for life’ will start their next round of 40 day anti-choice protests and I’m sure it will be upsetting for many people to see. We are really hopeful that with the support from the Scottish Government, this may be the last 40 days for life protest we see outside a clinic in Scotland.
"Legislation understandably takes time and until buffer zones are in place, we understand that there is little that police or councils can do right now. The next 40 days will likely highlight exactly why we need buffer zones in Scotland.
“As someone who has experienced anti-choice harassment first hand, I know how scary it can be to enter a clinic and it makes me feel sick that there are many people who may not receive essential health care this month due to the actions of one group. This is an opportunity for members of the public to raise awareness of this issue by writing to their MSPs and engaging with our online campaign to make sure we have full support from those who will vote on the bill.”
"No one has the right to intimidate or impede women's right to access healthcare"
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Women should be able to access timely abortion care without the fear of harassment or intimidation and we are committed to national legislation, agreeing to support Gillian Mackay MSP with the development and drafting on her Member’s Bill on Safe Access Zones.
“People have a right to protest in a democracy, however, no one has the right to intimidate or impede women's right to access healthcare. The Scottish Government believes protests should be held in a more appropriate place, such as outside parliament.”
READ MORE: Scotland's biggest council buffer zone pledge
Organisation compares Scotland to North Korea
The CEO of 40 Days for Life recently compared Scotland's stance on buffer zones to North Korea and described the government as "bigoted". In August, Shawn Carney tweeted: "The bigoted @ScotParl wants to ban their long and noble track record of free speech and peaceful assembly because they hate @40daysforlife. Scotland is doing an excellent impersonation of North Korea."