Latest news with #40DaysforLife
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Buffer zone law must be upheld as anti-abortion protestors announce new 'vigils'
Record View says groups are entitled to their beliefs but they are not above the law. Women who attend abortion clinics should be free to do so without being harassed by strangers. This is a position the majority of Scots will agree with without a second thought. But sadly, despite the introduction of buffer zones to keep anti-abortion protesters a safe distance away from clinic entrances, there remains a small but vocal minority who wish to confront women in person. Texas-based 40 Days for Life announced online it will hold a series of 'prayer vigils' near the Chalmers Clinic in Edinburgh in September. The activity is expected to last for 40 days and will commence from September 24 with the last 'vigil' to take place on November 2. But the organisation has suggested it will gather across the road from the clinic's entrance - ignoring the 200m buffer zone that is now law. Anti-abortion groups are entitled to their beliefs but they are not above the law. The group has been known to harass women outside healthcare facilities offering abortion services across Scotland in recent years. Repeatedly targeted clinics include those at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sandyford Clinic, Edinburgh Chalmers Street Clinic and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. It's up to police to ensure any protest is legal and does not subject women to unwanted harassment. Scotland upholds freedom of expression. But it also upholds the rights of people to attend medical clinicians without being targeted by political campaigners. The law is there, it must be upheld for all our benefit. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Bussed of British To slow down climate change we need to get more people onto public transport and out of fuel and petrol cars. So if we're going to build an environmentally friendly public transport network, we should be buying as many vehicles from UK manufacturers as possible. Alexander Dennis' two factories in the Falkirk area could be a big part of this. We have already seen how many of their buses have been bought for public use in Manchester. If we need to change the law in order to procure vehicles from our own country, then so be it. We need more high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Scotland, not less. Not only do these benefit the economy as a whole but they also help keep our communities together. Euan Stainbank is right to fight for his constituents and try to keep the jobs in the area. It will be a sad day if the historic firm leaves Scotland.
Edinburgh Live
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh abortion clinic set for fresh round of harassment from US religious group
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh clinic is set to endure a fresh round of anti-abortion harassment from an American religious group despite new laws designed to prevent protests taking place near clinics. The Texas-based group, 40 Days for Life, announced online that it will hold a series of "prayer vigils" near Chalmers Clinic in September. The activity is expected to last for 40 days and will commence from September 24 with the last "vigil" to take place on November 2. The organisation, which claims to represent several hundred volunteers in Scotland, announced the campaign just months after The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) bill became law in Scotland, reports The Daily Record. Under this act, it is illegal for anybody to hold vigils or protests within 200m of any clinic that provides abortion services. Instructions on the 40 Days for Life website have advised members to gather on Chalmers Street - opposite the front door of the healthcare clinic in September - which would be well within the buffer zone. The Record contacted the branch in Edinburgh to ask the organisation if it was aware this gathering would be illegal. Mairi Lucas, who is the group's branch head for the capital, proceeded to claim the guidance on the site is "out of date". We then asked Ms Lucas to clarify that the new meeting point for members that outwith the 200m buffer zone, she refused to confirm. Speaking to our sister publication, Ms Lucas said: "I am not telling you this information." The instructions on the group's site continue to ask members to attend Chalmers Street. MSP Monica Lennon described the planned activity as "nothing short of premeditated intimidation". The Labour representative for Central Scotland said: 'This is nothing short of premeditated intimidation and harassment. Women should not have to pass anti-abortion campaigners on the way to medical appointments. 'Anti-abortion groups are entitled to their beliefs, but they are not above the law.' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman added: 'Everyone deserves privacy and respect when attending healthcare appointments. These anti-choice protests outside of sexual health clinics and maternity hospitals do nothing but intimidate and distress patients, nurses and doctors. 'The patients and staff do not make decisions on legislation, that is done by politicians. I'd urge anyone who feels the need to protest against sexual health and abortion care, to do so outside the Scottish Parliament. 'For anyone who is affected by these anti-choice protests, I'd urge you to get in touch with the Scottish Greens or the Scottish Government, so that we can consider how to make these spaces even safer.' The group has been known to harass women outside healthcare facilities offering abortion services across Scotland in recent years. Repeatedly targeted clinics include those at the Edinburgh Chalmers Street Clinic, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sandyford Clinic and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. 40 Days for life members have spent up to 12 hours a day standing outside holding rosary beads and clutching signs with wording such as 'We can help you' alongside graphic images of fetuses. Residents in Glasgow told members of the group to "get lost" after a similar "vigil" was held within view of out-patients at the QEUH in March. Melanie Long, who received medical care at the hospital's maternity unit after previously suffering a miscarriage, told the Record at the time: "The first thing I saw when I opened the curtains this morning were these protestors. I find it extremely distressing. I thought once the buffer zone law came into place we wouldn't have this issue anymore. "As someone who has had to access those services in the past, I find it absolutely disgusting that these people are out there judging women. They might say that they're trying to be peaceful but they know exactly what they're doing - it's distressing, harassment and it victimises vulnerable people. "If they want to push their cause, they should do it in parliament." Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the Safe Access Zones Bill, has strongly urged the Scottish Government to consider expanding the size of buffer zones. Chapman said: 'Buffer zones around these clinics were introduced by my Green colleague Gillian Mackay's Safe Access Zone Act to protect patients and staff, and mostly they are successful in doing so. Unfortunately, many people still have no choice but to walk past groups gathering to protest or hold vigils on the cusp of the zones." 40 Days for Life was set up in 2004 by people protesting at an abortion facility in Texas. The organisation went on to expand its network through the southern states of America before infiltrating to new countries to become a world-wide group. Its division in Scotland is thought to be spearheaded by activist Rose Docherty, from Bishopbriggs. Rose previously told the Record that she was recruited by the group through the "pro-life grapevine". She said: "They found out about me through the pro-life grapevine. "They just wanted to know if there was anyone in Scotland and I said I'd be willing to do that and I'd be willing to come out." In February, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested over an alleged breach of the legislation. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Officers will respond proportionately to reports of anyone breaching Safe Access Zone legislation by engaging with them, explaining the law and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement if necessary.' The Record also approached NHS Lothian for comment.
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Religious group set for fresh round of abortion clinic harassment - despite new buffer zone laws
Texas-based 40 Days for Life has announced a fresh wave of "prayer vigils" near an abortion clinic in Edinburgh. An American religious group is set to stage a fresh round of anti-abortion harassment in Edinburgh despite new laws to prevent protests taking place near clinics. Texas-based 40 Days for Life announced online it will hold a series of " prayer vigils" near the capital's Chalmers Clinic in September. The activity is expected to last for 40 days and will commence from September 24 with the last "vigil" to take place on November 2. The organisation, which claims to represent several hundred volunteers in Scotland, announced the campaign months after The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) bill became law in Scotland. Under the act, it is illegal for anybody to hold vigils or protests within 200m of any clinic providing abortion services. Instructions on the 40 Days for Life website have advised members to gather on Chalmers Street - opposite the front door of the healthcare clinic in September - which would be well within the buffer zone. The Record contacted the branch in Edinburgh to ask the organisation if it was aware this gathering would be illegal. Mairi Lucas, who is the group's branch head for Edinburgh, proceeded to claim the guidance on the site is "out of date". We then asked Ms Lucas to clarify that the new meeting point for members that outwith the 200m buffer zone, she refused to confirm. Ms Lucas told the Record: "I am not telling you this information." The instructions on the group's site continue to ask members to attend Chalmers Street. MSP Monica Lennon described the planned activity as "nothing short of premeditated intimidation". The Labour representative for Central Scotland said: 'This is nothing short of premeditated intimidation and harassment. Women should not have to pass anti-abortion campaigners on the way to medical appointments. ' Anti-abortion groups are entitled to their beliefs, but they are not above the law.' Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman added: 'Everyone deserves privacy and respect when attending healthcare appointments. These anti-choice protests outside of sexual health clinics and maternity hospitals do nothing but intimidate and distress patients, nurses and doctors. 'The patients and staff do not make decisions on legislation, that is done by politicians. I'd urge anyone who feels the need to protest against sexual health and abortion care, to do so outside the Scottish Parliament. 'For anyone who is affected by these anti-choice protests, I'd urge you to get in touch with the Scottish Greens or the Scottish Government, so that we can consider how to make these spaces even safer.' The group has been known to harass women outside healthcare facilities offering abortion services across Scotland in recent years. Repeatedly targeted clinics include those at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sandyford Clinic, Edinburgh Chalmers Street Clinic and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. 40 Days for life members have spent up to 12 hours a day standing outside holding rosary beads and clutching signs with wording such as 'We can help you' alongside graphical images of fetuses. Residents in Glasgow told members of the group to " get lost" after a similar "vigil" was held within view of out-patients at the QEUH in March. Melanie Long, who received medical care at the hospital's maternity unit after previously suffering a miscarriage, told the Record at the time: "The first thing I saw when I opened the curtains this morning were these protestors. I find it extremely distressing. I thought once the buffer zone law came into place we wouldn't have this issue anymore. "As someone who has had to access those services in the past, I find it absolutely disgusting that these people are out there judging women. They might say that they're trying to be peaceful but they know exactly what they're doing - it's distressing, harassment and it victimises vulnerable people. "If they want to push their cause, they should do it in parliament." Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the Safe Access Zones Bill, has strongly urged the Scottish Government to consider expanding the size of buffer zones. Chapman said: ' Buffer zones around these clinics were introduced by my Green colleague Gillian Mackay's Safe Access Zone Act to protect patients and staff, and mostly they are successful in doing so. Unfortunately, many people still have no choice but to walk past groups gathering to protest or hold vigils on the cusp of the zones." 40 Days for Life was set up in 2004 by people protesting at an abortion facility in Texas. The organisation went on to expand its network through the southern states of America before infiltrating to new countries to become a world-wide group. Its division in Scotland is thought to be spearheaded by activist Rose Docherty, from Bishopbriggs. Rose previously told the Record that she was recruited by the group through the "pro-life grapevine". She said: "They found out about me through the pro-life grapevine. "They just wanted to know if there was anyone in Scotland and I said I'd be willing to do that and I'd be willing to come out." In February, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested over an alleged breach of the legislation.
The National
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
The dangers of imported American culture wars
The US anti-abortion movement is more emboldened than it has been in years, largely due to Trump removing nearly all protections for abortion providers. He has instructed federal prosecutors to limit enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (Face), which was introduced in response to violence against abortion clinics and staff, including the murder of doctors. In January, Trump also chose to pardon 23 anti-abortion activists who had been jailed for invading and blockading abortion clinics under the Face Act. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar urged to whip Scottish Labour MPs against welfare cuts The chilling events of the weekend should give us pause for thought here in Scotland. The hard-won Safe Access Zones Act, which keeps anti-abortion protesters 200 metres away from hospitals providing abortion services, came about in direct response to the importation of US-style clinic protests. Although many of the protesters were locals, they were recruited and organised by Texan anti-abortion organisation 40 Days for Life. I first witnessed the protests while living near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and the unmistakably US overtones – the signs, the fanaticism – made my blood run cold. Abortion rights in Scotland are under attack with the help of US dollars. When anti-abortion activist Rose Docherty flouted the new buffer zone legislation, she was swiftly lionised by the Alliance Defending Freedom – an American legal advocacy group categorised as an extremist homophobic hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre. She was framed as a persecuted victim of state overreach, rather than someone deliberately undermining public health protections. An even more disturbing example came when JD Vance grossly misrepresented Scotland's buffer zone laws, which led to a surge in abuse directed at MSP Gillian Mackay. Mackay, who spearheaded the buffer zones bill, was called a 'baby killer', received emails suggesting her abusers knew her home address, and was even sent rape threats – all while she was pregnant. The recent events in America are existentially terrifying, threatening our sense of freedom, peace, and democracy. It would be a grave mistake to assume that such extremism cannot reach our shores. It already has. Attempts to undermine our laws and the will of our parliament are not theoretical – they are happening right now. Yet, watching so many Americans take to the streets in defence of the freedoms they cherish gives me hope. I have faith in them – and I have faith in us.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pro-life leader praises bill requiring Ten Commandments in Texas schools: ‘A step in the right direction'
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, 40 Days for Life President and CEO Shawn Carney praised Texas lawmakers for passing legislation that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom in the state. The bill, approved by both chambers of the state Legislature and now awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature mandates that each classroom feature a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments that is at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, and legible from anywhere in the room. If signed, the law would take effect in the 2025–26 school year. Supreme Court Weighs Religious Liberty Dispute Over Public Funding For Catholic Charter School "This is great," Carney said. "The Ten Commandments are good. It's basically the moral code for most people who have ever lived. No matter what their belief system, most people don't believe we should steal, kill, or commit adultery. "It's a beautiful thing," he added. "I'm proud to be a Texan where they're supporting this, and it's something that we need in the classrooms." Read On The Fox News App Carney, who leads what he describes as the world's largest pro-life organization, operating in 64 countries, linked the legislation to a broader cultural shift. On its website, the group explains it is "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 are good things - allowing a baby to live is good," Carney said. "The Ten Commandments are good." Teachers Union Boss Randi Weingarten Shares Her 'Concern' With Scotus Case On Lgbtq Books Addressing constitutional concerns, Carney pushed back on the argument that the legislation violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. "We have Moses in the U.S. Capitol. Nobody's ever raised a stink about that," he said. "Having the Ten Commandments, something that has been celebrated throughout generations of Americans who have gone before us, having those in the school is just not a big deal." Carney also emphasized that the historical intent behind the separation of church and state was to protect religious freedom, not to eliminate religious references from public institutions. "Jefferson wanted separation of church and state to protect the Church," he said, citing recent federal actions he views as infringing on religious liberty. "We saw the Biden administration try to force Catholic doctors to perform abortions or prescribe contraception. We need to protect the Church." He framed the bill as part of a broader backlash against what he described as a secular, "woke mentality" that he believes has eroded moral clarity. "Our schools are violent. They are places that need the Ten Commandments," Carney said. "Even if you don't believe in God, you should be able to learn about God. "There's been this push that believing in God is archaic," he continued. "This bill is another step in the right direction." Although the Supreme Court struck down a similar law in Stone v. Graham (1980), Carney believes Texas's effort will survive legal challenges. "I do think it'll survive the legal battles," he said. "Revisiting this with a new Supreme Court is very wise and something that needs to be done." Carney also sees the law as a potential model for other states. "Texas has set the bar high," he said. "This does set a precedent. Most atheists believe in the Ten Commandments. They are the basis of Western civilization." Looking to the future, Carney hopes the bill encourages greater moral formation nationwide. "The ideal result is that more states do this over the next five or 10 years," he said. "We need guidance. We don't do very well on our own. "The Ten Commandments point us to good. To discipline. To truth. To love. And to mercy," he added. "They help us know what's right from wrong. We all grow in virtue by learning and following the Ten Commandments, no matter our religious background." Texas would join Louisiana and Arkansas, which have already passed similar laws. Supporters of the legislation say the commandments represent a foundational code of conduct, while critics warn it could face constitutional scrutiny in federal court, FOX 4 article source: Pro-life leader praises bill requiring Ten Commandments in Texas schools: 'A step in the right direction'
