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MNHQ have commented on this thread

AIBU?

To really want to say something to these abortion protestors?

999 replies

Crocodileclip · 07/03/2014 18:10

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?

OP posts:

Report

Maryz · 07/03/2014 19:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crocodileclip · 07/03/2014 19:51

Glad its not just me then. I do recognise their right to protest I just wish that as other posters said they would restrict their protests to Stormont or MLA offices.

OP posts:

Cocolepew · 07/03/2014 19:56

Half the MLAs would probably go out and join them

mamalovesmojitos · 07/03/2014 19:57

YANBU

An absolutely hideous thing to do IMO. Right outside a clinic? These people do not have an OUNCE of compassion. Makes my blood boil!

mamalovesmojitos · 07/03/2014 19:58

YANBU

An absolutely hideous thing to do IMO. Right outside a clinic? These people do not have an OUNCE of compassion. Makes my blood boil!

LizzieVereker · 07/03/2014 20:08

YANBU. Wankers. Although they probably don't believe in that either.

coffetofunction · 07/03/2014 20:10

Arrghh!! I'd wanna do more than say something....

Everyone is entitled to the opinion but they don't need to shove it down everyone's throat.
There a time & a place!!

bumbleymummy · 07/03/2014 20:16

TheJoyful, you have no idea what they do or don't do. Saying that they 'don't give a shit' is ridiculous.

People may not agree with their opinion but they have every right to express it.

bumbleymummy · 07/03/2014 20:20

silver, that's awful. :( So many people on MN argued against counselling being made compulsory before abortions.

TheWhispersOfTheGods · 07/03/2014 20:24

Those people make me livid. Have to walk past them on my way to work, what the fuck right to they have to try and make decisions about my body?

I tend to quote biblical references about Pharisees, and those who pray on street corners that men may see them who have had their reward if they try and stop me.

I'm Catholic, and still feel that my body belongs to me not to the masses to decide what I do with it. And I certainly don't think judgemental fuckwits without a bone of compassion or any accurate biological knowledge have any say. Their right to protest, fine, but I do think there should be a duty of care to the vulnerable that prevents them from doing so there.

And if someone had tried to stop me and hand me a rosary after I left the clinic after my termination I'd have broken their judgemental nose.

x2boys · 07/03/2014 20:25

I was brought up a catholic and it was really rammed down our throats how evil abortion was so me a naieve sixteen year old used to argue abortion was always wrong obviously I am now 40 whilst I still have my faith I am a lot more open minded and realise its a personal choice shocking really the video they showed us at school of an aborted foetus I hope times have change in that respect.

x2boys · 07/03/2014 20:27

that's what I was trying to say the whispers you put it much better than me.

silverskates · 07/03/2014 20:27

I suppose they must become hardened to it, but I couldn't get my head around it, I guess I do believe life begins at conception. I believe that and still had an abortion.

Crocodileclip · 07/03/2014 20:31

I was actually brought up a catholic myself and was probably anti abortion until I was about eighteen but even then I think I would have felt protesting outside abortion clinics was going too far.

OP posts:

bumbleymummy · 07/03/2014 20:32

TheWhispers, as far as they are concerned there are two bodies involved.

SPB, when does it stop being a 'bundle of cells'? Unless you think we're all just bundles of cells which, technically, we are.

silverskates · 07/03/2014 20:33

Obviously I can't speak for every clinic but I was told they cannot approach you.

The ones at mine literally just stood and offered you a leaflet. No noise or fuss or unpleasantness. I do feel with that in mind they have the right to do so.

x2boys · 07/03/2014 20:36

so do I crocodile but did you get shown those grim videos at school and all the grim leaflets from prollifers in church? it cilours your views when you are young and naieve

x2boys · 07/03/2014 20:38

colours btw I was about eighteen too and It was then that it also dawned on me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with being gay another thing we were told was a sin

anothernumberone · 07/03/2014 20:41

We had anti abortion stances rammed down our throats too and I probably still object to 'late' non medically necessary abortion if such a thing really does exist outside of the parlance of pro life campaigns. I always hated youth defence and radical anti abortion campaigners though.

FlockOfTwats · 07/03/2014 20:44

I'd do a counter protest. Big sign with an arrow pointing at the protesters "IGNORE THE STUPID TWATS"

SuburbanRhonda · 07/03/2014 20:45

bumbley it's naive to describe a fully developed human body as a bundle of cells.

You're in the company of such delightful organisations as SPUC in having that view, if that helps.

SuburbanRhonda · 07/03/2014 20:46

flock

bumbleymummy · 07/03/2014 20:48

Suburban, I wouldn't describe a fully developed human body as a 'bundle of cells' nor would I describe a 9 week old embryo or a foetus as a 'bundle of cells'.

SuburbanRhonda · 07/03/2014 20:51

bumbley - your post 20:32:53:

".. Unless you think were all just bundles of cells, which technically, we are."

SuburbanRhonda · 07/03/2014 20:51

we're

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