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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 Mairi Lucas, who is the group's branch head for the capital, proceeded to claim the guidance on the site is "out of date".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.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Grandmother arrested for holding sign offering conversation outside Scottish hospital performing abortions
Scottish police arrested a 74-year-old grandmother on Thursday for offering conversation to women contemplating abortions because she was in a so-called buffer zone, which criminalizes pro-life speech. Just days after Vice President JD Vance warned European leaders about rising censorship at the Munich Security Conference, Rose Docherty was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for holding a sign that said: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want." Docherty was the first person to be arrested and charged under The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which went into effect in September 2024, the BBC reported. The law prohibits any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m or 656ft of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland, but the law specifies that the Safe Access Zone could be extended if considered appropriate. Uk Woman Threatened With Fine For Praying Within Abortion Facility's 'Buffer Zone:' ' Grossly Orwellian' "Everyone has the right to a consensual conversation," Docherty said. "I simply made myself available for a chat, should anybody like to approach me and speak about any matter on their mind. I didn't breach the rules of the buffer zone – I didn't harass, intimidate, or even seek to influence anyone. I simply stood there, available to speak with love and compassion." Read On The Fox News App "It isn't right to deprive anyone of the right to take up my offer to talk," she added. "And it isn't right to censor zones within our country from thoughts, beliefs and conversations that authorities may simply disapprove of. Buffer zones aren't 'pro-choice' – they deprive women of the choice to have a chat outside the clinic. That isn't right." When reached for comment, Police Scotland directed Fox News Digital to its public release regarding the arrest. "We were made aware of a group of protesters having gathered in the Hardgate Road area of Glasgow around 2.05pm on Wednesday, 19 February, 2025," the statement said. "Officers attended and a 74-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with breach of the exclusion zone. She will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal." England and Wales have a similar version of the law that criminalizes the act of "influencing" someone's decision to "access" abortion services within 150 meters, or almost 500 feet, of any abortion facility. The United Kingdom expanded its so-called "buffer zone" law to apply to the area around every abortion facility nationwide starting Oct. 31. The move is an attempt to stop the harassment of patients seeking abortions, but critics and pro-life activists argue the laws are an affront to free speech. "It's devastating to see an innocent, 74-year-old woman handcuffed and arrested just for offering a consensual conversation," Lois McLatchie Miller, a Scottish spokesperson for Alliance Defending Freedom International, told Fox News Digital. "JD Vance was right to raise concerns – free speech has been eroded in Scotland to a worrying extent." "In Scotland and across the UK, authorities have been over-zealous in using 'buffer zone' laws to prosecute people just for their thoughts, or for standing peacefully," she added. "The government should clarify at once that silent prayer, and consensual conversation, are not crimes." Last week, Vance spoke about the Safe Access Zones Act, in which he said people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes. The Scottish government said no letters were sent telling people they couldn't pray in their homes and instead explained that only "intentional or reckless behaviour" was covered by the act, the BBC reported. But, McLatchie Miller said prohibitions of the Scottish buffer zone law even extend inside people's homes, if they live within 200 meters of an abortion facility. A letter sent to residents explains that the law, in general, applies to public places within the area, but can also apply to "activities in a private place (such as a house) within the area between the protected premises and the boundary of a Zone could be an offense if they can be seen or heard within the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly." Twitter Erupts Over Clip Of Uk Woman Arrested For Silently Praying Across From Abortion Clinic: 'Terrifying' "That means, if someone was to 'recklessly' influence someone's decision about abortion from inside their house, they could be committing a crime," she added. "Scottish authorities sent letters to local residents to warn them of this.""Could it be considered 'reckless' to pray by an open window? What about having a conversation about abortion in your garden while people pass by?" she asked. "If someone claims to be 'influenced' by such behaviour, this innocent expression of speech or faith could be unjustly snagged under the law." Authorities can impose fines of up to £10,000 ($12,600) "or be given an unlimited fine, depending on the court procedure" for anyone who is found to have breached a Safe Access Zone, according to the Scottish government. Citizens can also report a group or individual they believe to be breaking the law by contacting Police Scotland, who are responsible for enforcing Safe Access Zones. Scottish Greens spokesperson for health, Gillian Mackay MSP, who spearheaded the law, told Fox News Digital that nobody should feel intimidated when accessing healthcare. She also said she is proud that the law has put an end to "protests, graphic banners and unnerving spectating that people were forced to pass to enter hospitals." "There is harmful misinformation being peddled both in and out of US political spheres that shows how little these critics know about the Act, or it is part of their fear-mongering agenda to misrepresent it," she said. "Nobody is being prosecuted for their thoughts or for praying in their home as the Vice President claimed. For senior politicians to pretend otherwise is plainly ridiculous and dangerous." "Abortion rights are human rights," she added to Fox News Digital. "Every individual in Scotland has the right to privacy in terms of their healthcare, and my Act ensures they are protected and their privacy is maintained when accessing these services." Mackay also claimed that the U.S. government is a "clear threat" to reproductive rights. "Today and every day I will stand with the millions of people across the US who oppose the misogynistic and anti-choice agenda of Donald Trump and JD Vance," she added. Priest Charged After Praying Outside Abortion Clinic Decries Criminalization Of Thought Notably, Docherty was offering conversation in her personal capacity on the day she was arrested, but she serves as a leader in the Scottish chapter of the pro-life 40 Days for Life organization. Shawn Carney, the president of the organization, told Fox News Digital that unlike buffer zones in the U.S., where a small area around an abortion clinic is off limits to demonstrators, in the UK, you can't have a pro-life opinion and stand in a restricted area. "We're in 64 countries around the world, and we have more free speech in Berlin and Moscow and China than we do in Glasgow or London," he said. "That is a fact from our experience." "It's your country, you can ban whoever you want," he added. "You can just say: 'You're not allowed in the public square,' but you can't say that and say that you support free speech. So don't say that you're for free speech, you're not because you don't allow it. And so that's my issue with them, they run around as if they're heroes, patting themselves on the back, and they're an embarrassment to the West."Original article source: Grandmother arrested for holding sign offering conversation outside Scottish hospital performing abortions
Fox News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Grandmother arrested for holding sign offering conversation outside Scottish hospital performing abortions
Scottish police arrested a 74-year-old grandmother on Thursday for offering conversation to women contemplating abortions because she was in a so-called buffer zone, which criminalizes pro-life speech. Just days after Vice President JD Vance warned European leaders about rising censorship at the Munich Security Conference, Rose Docherty was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for holding a sign that said: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want." Docherty was the first person to be arrested and charged under The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which went into effect in September 2024, the BBC reported. The law prohibits any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m or 656ft of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland, but the law specifies that the Safe Access Zone could be extended if considered appropriate. "Everyone has the right to a consensual conversation," Docherty said. "I simply made myself available for a chat, should anybody like to approach me and speak about any matter on their mind. I didn't breach the rules of the buffer zone – I didn't harass, intimidate, or even seek to influence anyone. I simply stood there, available to speak with love and compassion." "It isn't right to deprive anyone of the right to take up my offer to talk," she added. "And it isn't right to censor zones within our country from thoughts, beliefs and conversations that authorities may simply disapprove of. Buffer zones aren't 'pro-choice' – they deprive women of the choice to have a chat outside the clinic. That isn't right." When reached for comment, Police Scotland directed Fox News Digital to its public release regarding the arrest. "We were made aware of a group of protesters having gathered in the Hardgate Road area of Glasgow around 2.05pm on Wednesday, 19 February, 2025," the statement said. "Officers attended and a 74-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with breach of the exclusion zone. She will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal." England and Wales have a similar version of the law that criminalizes the act of "influencing" someone's decision to "access" abortion services within 150 meters, or almost 500 feet, of any abortion facility. The United Kingdom expanded its so-called "buffer zone" law to apply to the area around every abortion facility nationwide starting Oct. 31. The move is an attempt to stop the harassment of patients seeking abortions, but critics and pro-life activists argue the laws are an affront to free speech. "It's devastating to see an innocent, 74-year-old woman handcuffed and arrested just for offering a consensual conversation," Lois McLatchie Miller, a Scottish spokesperson for Alliance Defending Freedom International, told Fox News Digital. "JD Vance was right to raise concerns – free speech has been eroded in Scotland to a worrying extent." "In Scotland and across the UK, authorities have been over-zealous in using 'buffer zone' laws to prosecute people just for their thoughts, or for standing peacefully," she added. "The government should clarify at once that silent prayer, and consensual conversation, are not crimes." Last week, Vance spoke about the Safe Access Zones Act, in which he said people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes. The Scottish government said no letters were sent telling people they couldn't pray in their homes and instead explained that only "intentional or reckless behaviour" was covered by the act, the BBC reported. But, McLatchie Miller said prohibitions of the Scottish buffer zone law even extend inside people's homes, if they live within 200 meters of an abortion facility. A letter sent to residents explains that the law, in general, applies to public places within the area, but can also apply to "activities in a private place (such as a house) within the area between the protected premises and the boundary of a Zone could be an offense if they can be seen or heard within the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly." "That means, if someone was to 'recklessly' influence someone's decision about abortion from inside their house, they could be committing a crime," she added. "Scottish authorities sent letters to local residents to warn them of this.""Could it be considered 'reckless' to pray by an open window? What about having a conversation about abortion in your garden while people pass by?" she asked. "If someone claims to be 'influenced' by such behaviour, this innocent expression of speech or faith could be unjustly snagged under the law." Authorities can impose fines of up to £10,000 ($12,600) "or be given an unlimited fine, depending on the court procedure" for anyone who is found to have breached a Safe Access Zone, according to the Scottish government. Citizens can also report a group or individual they believe to be breaking the law by contacting Police Scotland, who are responsible for enforcing Safe Access Zones. Scottish Greens spokesperson for health, Gillian Mackay MSP, who spearheaded the law, told Fox News Digital that nobody should feel intimidated when accessing healthcare. She also said she is proud that the law has put an end to "protests, graphic banners and unnerving spectating that people were forced to pass to enter hospitals." "There is harmful misinformation being peddled both in and out of US political spheres that shows how little these critics know about the Act, or it is part of their fear-mongering agenda to misrepresent it," she said. "Nobody is being prosecuted for their thoughts or for praying in their home as the Vice President claimed. For senior politicians to pretend otherwise is plainly ridiculous and dangerous." "Abortion rights are human rights," she added to Fox News Digital. "Every individual in Scotland has the right to privacy in terms of their healthcare, and my Act ensures they are protected and their privacy is maintained when accessing these services." Mackay also claimed that the U.S. government is a "clear threat" to reproductive rights. "Today and every day I will stand with the millions of people across the US who oppose the misogynistic and anti-choice agenda of Donald Trump and JD Vance," she added. Notably, Docherty was offering conversation in her personal capacity on the day she was arrested, but she serves as a leader in the Scottish chapter of the pro-life 40 Days for Life organization. Shawn Carney, the president of the organization, told Fox News Digital that unlike buffer zones in the U.S., where a small area around an abortion clinic is off limits to demonstrators, in the UK, you can't have a pro-life opinion and stand in a restricted area. "We're in 64 countries around the world, and we have more free speech in Berlin and Moscow and China than we do in Glasgow or London," he said. "That is a fact from our experience." "It's your country, you can ban whoever you want," he added. "You can just say: 'You're not allowed in the public square,' but you can't say that and say that you support free speech. So don't say that you're for free speech, you're not because you don't allow it. And so that's my issue with them, they run around as if they're heroes, patting themselves on the back, and they're an embarrassment to the West."
