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?

[silverskates]

The problem is, their view is that a baby is being killed.

Obviously I do not agree, but I see why they think it.

If I thought babies were being killed I'd want to intervene.

[BruthasTortoise]

I think providing false information about contraception to teenagers is akin to brain washing silverskates. This group hands out leaflets which say that hormonal contraception causes cancer as does having sex outside marriage. I've seen them - they use spurious facts about cervical cancers and HPV to scare young women/girls. It's horrendous.

[BruthasTortoise]

I also believe that if they really thought that babies were being murdered in the clinic they would be morally obligated to storm the building and physically restrain people from entering. They don't. They just stand outside with really gruesome pictures.

[silverskates]

But abortion clinics aren't solely attended by teenagers.

Besides, a wealth of information is available to teenagers and to all of us: it's accessing that.

I wonder if anybody has ever been previously decided on an abortion and changed their mind after a protest - I imagine anyone who has changed their mind has surely done so after having doubts, anyway.

[silverskates]

Because they aren't allowed to - we all have to act within the confines of the law even when we disagree with it.

[FrancesFarmer]

They should not be allowed to protest near abortion clinics in my opinion. They ought to take the protests to Stormont or their local MP's office. However, I think they're more interested in shaming vulnerable women than anything else.

[Loopylouu]

They protest outside a Marie stopes in the town I live in too.

It's right next to the park entrance/parking so I see them a lot.

I saw a young girl trying to hurry past them out of the clinic a few weeks ago, tears streaming down her face and there they were praying and holding up placards. My heart broke for her.

[bumbleymummy]

Yabu

"Do they care what happens to a baby born to a mother who may not be able to care for it properly? Or what happens to the mother? No, they don't give a shit. "

How do you know that they don't give a shit? You're making sweeping generalisations.

[BruthasTortoise]

Sorry Silver I was talking about this group standing outside the Brook which, in Belfast, is solely for teenagers. They dress their opinion up as fact and present it to often vulnerable teens. That is wrong.

[silverskates]

Ah ok.

I see what you mean, then, although I do think they have the right to protest :)

[silverskates]

I cried after my procedure as well Loopy but it wasn't because of protestors, it's just very very sad when you go through with it.

[silverskates]

I honestly cannot imagine that any woman is 'bullied' into changing her mind if doubts aren't already there.

I think many of the protestors are pro-adoption.

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

I cried after mine, too, not because it was the wrong decision - it wasn't. I cried because it was just very sad. I'm just outside London, I would have gone batshit crazy if there'd have been any protestors out side the clinic I went to.

[DingbatsFur]

I find it helpful to mutter 'fascists' just loud enough for protesters to hear but not loud enough to appear like i'm shouting. I used to do this with the abortion protesters near Starbucks.
I pointed out the flag protesters near us as unreasonable to my children & explained they were damaging other people's livelihoods.

[Loopylouu]

silver I know, I meant I felt for the poor girl crying and then having to see them outside, makes a hard situation worse.

[Littlegreyauditor]

I could almost guarantee one of my relatives is there, clutching at her rosary with not an ounce of Christian compassion in her body.

If you see a sour faced aul goat casting judgement on all and sundry in the name of her god you have my permission to give her an earful OP.

I would tell you some of her views but honestly it would annoy me so much repeating them that I would have to lie down.

[DingbatsFur]

Even just saying something when you go past makes them think not everyone agrees with their nasty narrow minded behaviour.

[silverskates]

There were loads outside mine (Birmingham.)

I was a complete state all the way through, I barely noticed the protestors when I actually went for the procedure to be honest.

I was very undecided and thought I'd get proper counselling but all I got was 'give us £80, you're this many weeks, we'll give you this procedure.' The protestors just stood quietly. I think if I was bullied by anyone it was the clinic to be honest.

[BruthasTortoise]

silver. I don't have the words but I hope you are at peace with what you went through now.

[silverskates]

Thanks Bruthas, I think it was the right decision. I am still enormously sad about it though. Part of me wishes I'd been brave enough to go ahead but I wasn't and don't think that would have been the right decision at all.