US anti-abortion group promises not to break buffer zone laws ahead of planned protests at Glasgow Hospital
By Aidan Robertson
A US based abortion group ’40 days for life’ have announced a series of planned protests focused around Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
During these protests they have promised not to break any buffer zone laws established by Scotland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which came into force last September. It prohibits anti-abortion activists from protesting within 200 metres of an abortion clinic.
This promise comes after last week when a 74-year-old women was arrested after violating the act leading to it being the first recorded incident of its type in Scotland.
The group is planning to hold vigils and signs across from the hospital on hardgate road from March 5th up until April 13th
Mary Gilroy, Member and Organiser of the ’40 Days for life’ protests in Glasgow have vowed not to breach the law during the protest.
She said: “The 40 Days for Life prayer group will not be operating within the buffer zone but will instead pray for help and protection for mothers and their unborn babies from a 200-metre distance from the abortion facility.
“We have arranged to meet with police services ahead of the planned dates and are grateful for our good working relations that protect our ability to pray.”
She added: “We invite anyone who wants to chat to us about support for continuing their pregnancy to feel free to do so. In a nation like Scotland, it should never be illegal to pray or to have a consensual conversation.”
The group describes itself as an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.
These protests are happening after American Vice President JD Vance was accused of “spreading misinformation” concerning the buffer zones at Abortion clinics
There are access zones at 30 health facilities around Scotland, including at the Queen Elizabeth University hospital.
Within these buffer zones, it is criminal offence to behave or act in a way that could influence or effect the decision making and wellbeing of women and staff on whether they should access these services.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Vance claimed people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes.
These were quickly disputed by the Scottish government who said he was “incorrect” with his comments as they had previously been spread by anti-abortion influencers on social media.
They said no letters had been sent out saying people could not pray In their homes and that only was ‘intentional or reckless behavior’ was covered by the act.
He had previously been criticised for making false claims without evidence, another example being during the election campaign last year when he claimed ‘migrants were eating pets’ in Ohio.
