UK – Council ban on protests outside abortion clinic upheld by appeal court

Council ban on protests outside abortion clinic upheld by appeal court
Anti-abortion activists argued Ealing’s buffer zone for Marie Stopes clinic was unjustified

Frances Perraudin and agencies
Wed 21 Aug 2019

Anti-abortion activists have lost a court of appeal challenge against a council’s decision to ban protesters from gathering outside a clinic in west London.

Judges on Wednesday dismissed an appeal against an earlier ruling that the restrictions imposed by Ealing council outside a Marie Stopes clinic were justified.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/aug/21/council-ban-on-protests-outside-abortion-clinic-upheld-by-court-of-appeal

UK – Can Ealing’s abortion clinic “buffer zone” be replicated to protect women everywhere?

Can Ealing’s abortion clinic “buffer zone” be replicated to protect women everywhere?
A historic local vote curbing pro-life protesters may be tough for other councils to pursue.

By Anoosh Chakelian
11 April 2018

Anyone living in the west London suburb of Ealing knows of the Mattock Lane protesters. On a quiet road, lining a park and home to an amateur theatre, they stand outside the Marie Stopes sexual health clinic murmuring, shouting and praying (sometimes on their knees), and bearing graphic images for everyone to see.

Growing up in nearby Acton, I knew – as did everyone I knew – many in Ealing who had used the clinic over the years. For free condoms, mainly. But also for sexual health and contraception advice. For the morning-after pill. For chlamydia testing kits. And for abortions.

Continued: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2018/04/can-ealing-s-abortion-clinic-buffer-zone-be-replicated-protect-women

UK – Abortion clinic safe zone imposed by Ealing Council

Abortion clinic safe zone imposed by Ealing Council
10 April 2018

A buffer zone will be created at a west London abortion clinic to stop vigils being held outside the building.

Ealing councillors unanimously voted to implement a safe zone around the Marie Stopes clinic after women complained of intimidation by protesters.

The Good Counsel Network, which holds daily vigils outside the centre in Mattock Lane, denies harassing women.

Continued: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-43718927

UK: Ealing Council nears abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ amid harassment

Ealing Council nears abortion clinic 'buffer zone' amid harassment
A Marie Stopes clinic in London could be the UK's first to receive the cordon after MPs were told of intimidation against women.

Tuesday 16 January 2018
By Greg Heffer, Political Reporter

Pro-life campaigners could be banned from gathering outside an abortion clinic after a council neared establishing what would likely be the UK's first buffer zone.

Ealing Council agreed on Tuesday night to undertake a public consultation on a possible Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around the Marie Stopes clinic in west London.

Continued: https://news.sky.com/story/ealing-council-nears-abortion-clinic-buffer-zone-amid-harassment-11210696

UK: Council decision to prevent protests outside abortion clinic gets MPs’ support

Council decision to prevent protests outside abortion clinic gets MPs' support

7 November 2017 12:15AM

More than half of MPs support a council's decision to introduce "buffer zones" outside abortion clinics to prevent protests, a poll suggests.

A survey of 101 parliamentarians found that 57% supported Ealing Council's decision to stop anti-abortion groups from protesting outside a clinic in the west London borough.

The authority is exploring options on how to prevent such demonstrations, including the use of Public Space Protection Orders.

Continued at source: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/national/article/Council-decision-to-prevent-protests-outside-abortion-clinic-gets-MPs-support-2c8fc4e5-f66b-4f90-9c84-29c7da58ee19-ds

07.11.2017