Abortion clinic protests to be banned?

[StealthPolarBear]

Really hope so, this would be a fantastic step forward
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42129222

[Maursh]

I really hope not!
Even if you do not agree with their point of view you should defend their right to say it
Existing laws already cover problems that arise - this would simply be an infringement on freedom of speech. What will be next?

[graceyg]

There rightly should be an exclusion zone . They should not be free to stand directly outside a clinic spewing fake information as women who are potentially already in a stressful situation have to pass by .

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

Ah you are confusing free speech and deliberate harassment of vulnerable women. The issue is not banning anti abortion protests, it is banning protesting right outside an abortion clinic and abusing women and staff going about their legal business. That’s not free speech.

[annandale]

I would like to see an exclusion zone for any protest around a healthcare facility of about 200 miles

[sinceyouask]

Good. I have only contempt for those people and their defenders.

[nightshade]

About time...

[sashh]

Even if you do not agree with their point of view you should defend their right to say it

No I don't. The only point in protesting a clinic is to abuse women. A protest outside parliament would be appropriate because that is where laws are made.

[Julie8008]

About time we stopped allowing people to traumatise vulnerable women excercising legal rights over their own body.

[ZigZagandDustin]

About bloody time. Protesters at clinics are disgusting scum.

I've no problem with people who are pro life though.

[StealthPolarBear]

Presume those who are pro life are pro the life of tbe mother?
Or is that not the case

[Ttbb]

There is a difference between exercising their right to free speech and harassment. I'm as very anti-circumcision but that doesn't mean that I stand around outside clinics where such procedures are performed yelling at mothers and their babies that they're going to go to hell. Share you view, yes. Engage in meaningful debate and discussion, yes. Use your views are an exuse to intimidate, no.

[CheesyFootballs]

These people are clearly unhinged and its a shame it has taken so long for this issue to be tackled.

Harassing women who are accessing health services should never have been tolerated in the first place!

[ZigZagandDustin]

Stealth not sure if you were talking to me. But I am very very much pro-choice. I don't however have an issue with people who are pro life, however much I wish they could see things from a different perspective.

So I can't comment on your question regarding whether pro-lifers are also pro-mothers life. I'm not a pro-lifer and never ever was or will be.

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes I was. I do have a problem with pro lifers in that they don't seem to give a fuck about the life of the mother,as far as I'm aware anyway.

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

Great brews thank bloody god!!

[Blahblahblahzeeblah]

I'm very pro-life but the protests outside of abortion clinics are awful. For most women it's not just an average health care service, an abortion is a really hard decision and I cannot imagine having all of those awful images in my face at that time. Defending the life of an u born child is all well and good but we have to think of the life of the woman too. She deserves compassion.

[StealthPolarBear]

Queen I don't th ink it's a done deal. Don't go counting chickens.

[StealthPolarBear]

Thank you blah - there's one pro lifer that clearly does :)

[Merida83]

This would be great progress.

[AdoraBell]

Totally agree Trojans

[acatcalledjohn]

That is fab news, although long overdue. There was a change.org petition about 2 years ago.

@Maursh: I suggest they protest there where laws can be changed. Protesting outside a clinic doesn't achieve anything other than harassing the women using the service. Let's be honest here, they stand there with placards that call the women in question murderers.

Freedom of speech is not a licence to abuse & harass and yet so many people seem to think it is.

[TinselTwins]

"Even if you do not agree with their point of view you should defend their right to say it"was

I defend their rights to say it to their MP, to organise protests at Westminster or their local town halls, to express their views to the media etc

Harassment however is never okay.

[prh47bridge]

I do have a problem with pro lifers in that they don't seem to give a fuck about the life of the mother,as far as I'm aware anyway

There are many different pro-life views. Some are against abortion under any circumstances. Some will accept abortion if the mother's life is in danger.

[TinselTwins]

There are many different pro-life views. Some are against abortion under any circumstances. Some will accept abortion if the mother's life is in danger.I

"only if you are dying" does not actually qualify as caring about a woman's "life" though does it?