More than 100 anti-abortion protesters target Glasgow hospital

Apr 14, 2025
By Gemma Clark

MORE than 100 anti-abortion protesters gathered near Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Sunday evening. The event was part of the Texas-based group 40 Days for Life’s efforts to "pray to end abortion" around the world.

… Sunday's protest demonstrates just how close anti-abortion activists can still get to hospitals, and serves as a reminder of how modest the original buffer zone proposals were.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/25088171.100-anti-abortion-protesters-target-glasgow-hospital/

14.04.2025

Queen Elizabeth University hospital

safe access zones

Scottish Family Party

Scotland – Police decline to intervene as anti-abortion group ignores buffer zone

March 23, 2025
By Xander Elliards

POLICE did not respond after being called to a fringe group of anti-abortion protesters who were breaching Scotland’s buffer zone regulations.

The Scottish Family Party – who, as well as wanting to see abortion rights rolled back, oppose same-sex marriage, sperm and egg donation, and the clause banning harassment in the Equality Act – held a small-scale protest outside the public entrance to the Chalmers Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday evening.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/25030333.police-decline-intervene-anti-abortion-group-ignores-buffer-zone/

Scotland – Anti-abortion group starts Lent hospital protests

March 5, 2025

US anti-abortion group has started a series of Lent protests outside a Glasgow hospital but says it will not break Scotland's new buffer zone law.

Campaigners from 40 Days For Life have pledged to stay outside the 200m (656ft) safe access zone around clinics.

Last month a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested for protesting near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20drjg3ly0o

‘Shameful’ anti-abortion protesters slammed over month-long ‘vigils’ targeting Glasgow hospital

The 40 Days for Life campaign group confirmed that it plans to hold a series of 'prayer vigils' outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in March and April despite Scotland's newly established buffer zone laws.

By Ruth Suter, Craig Meighan, PA Scotland
24 FEB 2025

Pro-choice campaigners have hit out at a US group's "shameful" plans to stage anti-abortion protests outside a Glasgow hospital for over a month.

The Texas-founded 40 Days for Life hosts demonstrations around the world and has announced intentions to hold "prayer vigils" in clear view of the maternity unit at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

Continued: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/shameful-anti-abortion-protesters-slammed-31069308

Scotland – Woman, 74, charged under abortion protest law

Feb 20, 2025
David Wallace Lockhart & Angus Cochrane, BBC Scotland News

A 74-year-old woman has become the first person to be arrested and charged under a Scottish law banning protests outside abortion clinics.

She was arrested close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and was charged in connection with breach of an exclusion zone.

Officers removed a sign from the area - which had been held by the woman who was arrested - that read "coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want".

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c39vky8wr0do

20.02.2025

News

40 days for life

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act

anti-choice harassment

anti-choice lies

anti-choice misogyny

anti-choice protesters

JD Vance decried as extremist over attack on UK abortion clinic safe zones

US vice-president’s comments, part of a wide-ranging tirade against Europe, called inaccurate and misogynistic

Alexandra Topping
Sat 15 Feb 2025

JD Vance has been labelled an “extremist” after he launched a broadside against the UK’s efforts to protect women seeking an abortion.

The US vice-president’s criticisms of UK and Scottish policies on safe access zones around abortion clinics – part of a wide-ranging tirade against Europe on Friday – were derided as inaccurate and misogynistic by a number of groups, politicians and governments.

Heidi Stewart, the chief executive of Bpas, the UK’s leading provider of abortion services, said safe zones – buffer areas of 150 metres around abortion clinics designed to stop women being harassed with leaflets, shown pictures of foetuses, or having to pass by vigils – were vital to protect women’s access to essential healthcare in an “overwhelmingly pro-choice country”.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/15/jd-vance-decried-as-extremist-over-attack-on-uk-abortion-clinic-safe-zones

Scotland – Abortion protests near clinics banned as buffer zones law goes live

Sep 24, 2024

The MSP responsible for the introduction of buffer zones near abortion clinics has hailed the first day of the new legislation as "crucial".

Green MSP Gillian Mackay was behind the bill which prevents anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200m (656ft) of clinics where the procedure is carried out.

The zones, which are now live, were introduced as a result of Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Scotland Act, which was passed in June with the support of 118 MSPs from across the Chamber.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98y1ryd6d3o

Scotland – ‘Significant fines’ for people who break abortion buffer zones

23 Sep 2024

People who break abortion buffer zones have been warned they face “significant fines”. Legislation establishing protected zones of 200 metres around abortion services comes into force tomorrow.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was passed in June. Those who break the law may be fined up to £10,000 under summary procedure.

Continued: https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/significant-fines-for-people-who-break-abortion-buffer-zones

23.09.2024

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

anti-choice harassment

anti-choice intimidation

anti-choice misogyny

anti-choice protesters

Scotland – Abortion buffer zones to take effect within weeks

Sept 5, 2024

Buffer zones around clinics offering abortion services in Scotland will come into force on 24 September.

The new law will prevent any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics around the country.

Opponents had claimed the legislation would infringe on freedom of religion, but it was passed overwhelmingly by MSPs in June.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0r75n72qzo

06.09.2024

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

buffer zones

Christian Action Research and Education

UK – The battle for abortion buffer zones

A 2023 law banning protests around clinics remains unenforced amid dispute over 'silent prayer'

By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
Aug 20, 2024

In the UK, protests outside clinics or hospitals that perform abortions are, theoretically, banned within a 150-metre "buffer zone". But the legislation has yet to be enforced in England and Wales, and draft guidance published by the last government controversially made allowances for silent prayer within the so-called "safe access zones".

Now, the Home Office is considering reviewing the guidance, reported The Daily Telegraph. Ministers will also review a provision which allows for "consensual" communication with those entering or leaving the premises, which protesters have "interpreted" as permission to hand out leaflets or talk to patients. Abortion rights activists and healthcare providers hope the review will result in both activities being banned as part of Labour's commitment to finally enforce the buffer zones.

Continued: https://theweek.com/health/the-battle-for-abortion-buffer-zones