UK – Protesters on the streets to defend abortion rights

Four women in the last eight months have been prosecuted in Britain for having an abortion

By Sophie Squire, Socialist Worker
Saturday 02 September 2023

Around 500 pro-choice supporters confronted bigots who took part in an anti-abortion march in London on Saturday. Thousands joined the anti-abortion march, which happens every year. They were boosted by recent anti-choice prosecutions in Britain and restrictive laws across the world.

Protester Amity told Socialist Worker that anti-choice bigots are growing more confident. “I saw a lot of angry, mostly men, on their side. It’s shocking, as I’ve never been on one of these counter-demonstrations before.

Continued: https://socialistworker.co.uk/news/protesters-on-the-streets-to-defend-abortion-rights/

02.09.2023

Abortion Rights Campaign

anti-choice bigots

Kerry Abel

pro-choice counter protest

UK – Thousands march to decriminalise abortion after woman jailed for ending pregnancy after legal limit

Campaigners stress ‘abortion is healthcare, not a crime - we should not be policing people’s bodies’

Tara Cobham
June 17, 2023

Thousands of protesters calling for the decriminalisation of abortion have marched in central London following outrage at the conviction of a woman for ending her pregnancy beyond the legal cut-off of 24 weeks.

Campaigners stressed that “abortion is healthcare, not a crime”, after Carla Foster, 44, was this week sentenced to 28 months in jail, having obtained drugs to end her pregnancy at 32 to 34 weeks during lockdown.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/abortion-rights-march-london-woman-jailed-b2359503.html

17.06.2023

News

1967 Abortion Act

Abortion Rights Campaign

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Carla Foster

jailing women for abortion

Kerry Abel

pro-choice protests

Women’s Equality party

UK – Pregnant woman shocked after GP ‘gave her anti-abortion leaflet’

Woman was reportedly handed information from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children at London clinic

Shanti Das
Sat 30 Jul 2022

A pregnant woman who told her GP she was considering having an abortion says she was left “shocked and traumatised” after being given a leaflet for an anti-abortion group.

The woman, 38, says she was seeking treatment for a bladder problem on 19 July when a doctor at All Saints Medical Centre in Plumstead, south-east London, asked whether she was pregnant.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/30/pregnant-woman-shocked-gp-anti-abortion-leaflet-society-protection-unborn-children-spuc

Texas abortion ban means ‘other US states will follow’, pro-choice campaigners warn

‘Rich women will have abortions, and poor women will die or have babies. That’s what’s going to happen in Texas’

By Jasmine Andersson, iNews UK
September 2, 2021

Texas’s strict new abortion ban puts women’s lives at risk and could cause other US states to follow suit, campaigners have warned.

In a major blow to abortion rights, the US Supreme Court refused to block the law – known as S.B. 8 – which bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

https://inews.co.uk/news/world/texas-abortion-law-ban-us-states-pro-choice-campaigners-1179534

UK – Anti-abortion activists increasingly targeting UK university students

Anti-abortion activists increasingly targeting UK university students
NUS reports rise in anti-abortion societies in students’ unions and demonstrations nationwide

Sally Weale, Education correspondent
Sun 5 Jan 2020

Anti-abortion campaigners are increasingly targeting students at UK universities, where there has been a rise in the number of anti-abortion societies on campus and demonstrations by outside groups displaying graphic imagery.

The campaign has gathered momentum on the back of a continuing debate about freedom of speech in universities. Some student unions have been threatened with legal action if they attempt to prevent anti-abortion groups opening on campus.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/05/anti-abortion-activists-increasingly-targeting-uk-university-students

UK – This week has proved that the fight for abortion rights is far from over

This week has proved that the fight for abortion rights is far from over

Kerry Abel, Chair of the Abortion Rights campaign
Sunday 6 Oct 2019

As the Chair of Abortion Rights, I am often asked why my organisation is still needed in 2019.

This week has been proof of why.

We’ve seen the High Court ruling that Northern Ireland’s archaic abortion laws breach the UK’s human right commitments, while also witnessing the disgusting harassment of Stella Creasy in her constituency, with anti-choice bullies putting up billboards with vile, misleading images they claim to be of foetuses.

Continued: https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/06/this-week-has-proved-why-the-fight-for-abortion-rights-is-far-from-over-10860091/

UK – Bill to give medical staff right to refuse role in abortions condemned

Bill to give medical staff right to refuse role in abortions condemned
Bill would expand rights of conscientious objection for healthcare professionals

Tim Wyatt
Wed 21 Mar 2018

Pro-choice groups have condemned an attempt to create new laws that would allow doctors and nurses to refuse to take part in abortions on moral grounds.

A private bill going through the House of Lords that would expand rights of conscientious objection for healthcare professionals has been dismissed as unnecessary by abortion providers and campaigners.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/21/bill-to-give-medical-staff-right-to-refuse-role-in-abortions-condemned