To really want to say something to these abortion protestors?

[Crocodileclip]

Firstly, I know I will probably never say anything as I appreciate that the protestors have the right to protest but it really pisses me off.

A small group of people have been protesting outside the Marie Stoppes clinic in Belfast since it opened in 2012. They stand outside the door on the days it is open holding anti abortion posters and trying to gather signatures for a petition. I pass them on my way to get to the station at home time and every time it annoys me. I can't imagine how offputting they would be if you were young and scared and just wanting some advice. Lots of pics of aborted foetuses etc. I find it intimidating enough myself and I am just walking past. I actually put my head down and walk quicker so that nobody asks me to sign the petition.

I'm currently pregnant with my second and am lucky never to have been in a position where abortion was an option but am of the opinion that there are situations in which it may be the best option available.

The clinic itself operates within NI law so only offers abortions up to 9 weeks and as far as I know is the only such clinic in Northern Ireland. I think I would be ok with the protestors doing their stuff elsewhere in the city centre it is the fact that it is just outside the only entrance to the clinc that makes me irrationally angry. Does this happen at other Marie Stoppes clinics elsewhere in the UK?

[SauceForTheGander]

YANBU. I would be tempted to counter protest.

[SummerRain]

It must be especially difficult for women travelling up from Ireland to be met with that

Abortion is a difficult enough choice as it is without any added trauma on the day. Those protesters should be ashamed of themselves

I live in Ireland and believe me when I say not having access to abortion is an infinitely worse situation.

[Crocodileclip]

It must be awful for the staff too. Not just those working in Marie Stoppes but also others working elsewhere in the building. I know it would put me off working in that building.

[FannyFifer]

I remember passing a Youth Defence protest in Dublin, that group are total scum, they got told to fuck off with their petition.
Last year they had an anti abortion ad truck parked outside a rape crisis centre, nice eh.
There's no point debating with idiots like that.

[Sparklingbrook]

How come they are allowed to do it? Can they not be moved along?

[BadgersRetreat]

YANBU

we had an international women's day march in my city last year and a pile of male anti abortionists were waving their placards on one street corner

fuckers. How dare they?

[onedev]

YANBU

[blowsygirl]

It is awful. I hand to walk past them at a young age. They weren't even giving accurate information, brandishing fully baby-like models that were supposed to be 8 week foetuses and all sort of other biologically unsound resources. The counsellor I saw apologised that I had had to experience that and I replied 'their right to be there and mine to be here' and she hugged me

[EyelinerQueen]

YANBU.

I found out recently that some family friends back home (in N.I.) like to picket Marie Stopes in their spare time . These are young and vaguely educated women.

But because they're such good god-fearing Catholics they stand there clutching their rosaries and judging and condemning people.

Fucking cunts.

[Tailtwister1]

People are entitled to their personal views, but they shouldn't be allowed to stand outside the clinic and harass people (patients or staff). It must be awful having to run the gauntlet of these people day after day.

[ChablisLover]

Are they still there crocodile? Yanbu

I remember having to walk past them and my ds was with me and was dreading questions so hurried past as quick as we could. I think it was a Saturday afternoon so lots of kids about the area.

I can understand that they have a right to protest as we live in a democratic country but the posters are so graphic. And they are quite intimidating standing in the middle of the street.

They used to do the same when the brook clinic opened in north street.

But as the clinic operates within the very limited law that we have in NI it's (the clinic)not breaking the law and as I believe In a woman's right to choose they are doing nothing wrong.

Imagine what they will be like if the law changes to be like the mainland. There would be uproar.

[silverskates]

It's quite common, I had to have an abortion and they were outside my clinic. The staff warn you before you go in so it isn't so bad, I do think they have the right to give their opinion.

[Sortyourmakeupout]

Yabu.

[RabbitPies]

YANBu. What horrid people. Protesting is one thing,but that is harassment. They shouldn't be allowed to remain there.

[JanineStHubbins]

Eyeliner they're just as likely to be Protestants in NI - opposing abortion is one of the few issues on which there is cross community support. That's precisely why the GB legislation was never extended to NI, because both sides were opposed to it.

[Caitlyn2014]

I'm pro choice but I think a woman's right to have a termination has to go hand in hand with people being allowed to protest wherever they want to.

[silverskates]

They aren't supposed to speak to people: just offer leaflets.

Which people ignore.

[ecuse]

They are outside the clinic near my work too. Fucking idiots. I sometimes yell at them to stop harassing women on my way past but they usually say something spectacularly irritating like "God forgive you" which makes me seethe even more.

Recent Education for Choice report into those dodgy 'pregnancy advice centres' which peddle misinformation about abortions suggested they're sometimes the same organisations as the harassers (refuse to call them protesters).

[WooWooOwl]

As long as they are just standing there and aren't shouting abuse at anyone going into the clinic, YABU.

The right to peaceful protest is a fundamentally important and it should be protected.

[BruthasTortoise]

They've been had it for years - used to be at the Brook every day and on one notable occasion they protested at the Royal just outside the entrance to the maternity hospital. I'm sure that was just great for the women going to the early pregnancy unit. They're scum.

[HadABadDay2014]

I just hope that these prolife protesters offer any support for a women who by their brain washing will continue the pregnancy.

Do they run a support line for when a women when pregnancy is emotionally difficult or do charity events to support them financially.

I suspect no, but once the pregnancy results in a baby where are they then.

[silverskates]

I don't think expressing a view is brain washing, to be honest.

[ifyourehoppyandyouknowit]

They have every right to be there.

But they're still cunts.

[BitchPeas]

They should have a right to protest.

But holding big traumatic inaccurate pictures right outside the front door is taking the piss in my opinion. They should only be allowed 100m away or whatever.

[anothernumberone]

They absolutely should be allowed to protest, absolutely but outside parliment or outside their local MPs office not outside the clinic, they should be moved on.