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?

I once read about someone who made their own sign saying something like "for every protester who turns up today I will donate £2 to X pro choice organisation". I think I would do something like that if I had to face idiots like this every day.

Assassin im so sorry.

Just read my own words and morally superior does nkt sound right! I mea t to the protestors but it still sounds nasty, wasnt meant to sorry.

You think these people have a right to protest?

They have a right to their opinion. If they're expressing it peacefully, that is.

You dont think that the very act of doing it outside a clinicis aggressive?
im happy for them to write as many indignant letters to the daily mail as they like but to be in the face of vulnerable women at a difficult time is wrong.

Maryz, I will look out for that. I personally am planning on carrying to term in the hope that doing so will provide additional information into skeletal dysplasias and how they present themselves. They seem to be so rare and there doesn't seem to be much information on how they develop. By my family going through this unknown hopefully someone else won't have to. I am also keeping a journal of my experience.
I have found that since we had the diagnosis on the 14th February that we have received absolutely NO support whatsoever from anyone in a medical or social capacity. Zilch.

Sorry for the thread hijack. I agree that people should be allowed to exercise their right to protest but if people want to protest they should educate themselves rather than simply behaving like under informed, ignorant fuckwits.

Flock, you don't know that they aren't doing anything else to campaign for change. I think it's ridiculous to assume that people are violent and/or abusive because they happen to be pro-life.

They're no pro life. Theyre anti choice.
And i can say that ANYONE intimidating women and children is abusive at the very least, so theres a good chance they are violent.

And as for are they doing anythign else, Well, ive never see an anti choice group doing anything to help these women? Helping them through the pregnancy, birth, bringing up the child? I've never seen them hassling people who could actually do something about it, Ive never seen campaigns taken by these people for support for these women - In fact, Most of the ones i know post an anti choice statement one minute, a single mother benefit scrounger rant the next.

Also a bit of sensitivity as to where to place their placards wouldn't go amiss.

These particular protesters should be forced to shove their placards up their ass.

I'm in no way comparing both.

How would you feel every time you went to the butchers for some meat you are faced with animal activist showing you graphic pictures of dead animals.

BadDay you know there was a UK butcher recently asked not to display full carcasses, right? Same thing!

I consider it more like having to go for an elective procedure and being shown horrible graphic photos of what might go wrong. I doubt these people would like that if they were going for cancer surgery or hip replacements.

Assassin btw, you are incredibly brave and I really admire what you are doing, esp the journal. I think you will help people come to a better understanding of this disorder and that is selfless and amazing of you.

I agree that the placards and harassment are wrong, completely wrong, but everyone does have a right to peaceful protest.
I say that as someone who had an abortion in the early 90's in London, there was one lone woman standing outside with leaflets who we ignored.
I accept that a large amount of protesters with placards and photos would be upsetting and intimidating.

Hello all,
if you could try to keep the goading, swearing and quoting to a minimum the thread would make a lot more sense, don't you think? [prim]

TheBabyFacedAssassin, so very sorry to hear of your baby's circumstances. Love and strength to you.

TheBabyFacedAssassin I am so sorry for you.

I hope that you are getting a lot of help and support.

I think in cases like yours it is awful to make a women continue with pregnancy

I agree, every one does have the right to protest. But not to deliberately intimidate or humiliate vulnerable women at what is possibly the worst point in their lives.

Protest parliament, protest in public parks, organise rallys if that is what you believe in and you think what you have to say is right. Don't 'protest' outside a medical office harassing patients and staff. That is not ok.

It would not be taken well if atheist groups protested outside churches on a Sunday morning hurling abuse at parishioners, with placards with pictures of children abused by the clergy, and shoving copies of The God Delusion and Origin of Species into people's faces, or if Christian church groups protested mosques and synagogues, or if Jewish or Islamic groups protesed churches - etc etc. But all these groups are doing the 'wrong thing' according to each other, and in the eyes of the other religious groups condemning themselves to hell - a motivation referenced up thread for these 'protesters'.

If large groups of people were targeting another section of society then there would be safeguards in place.

Assassin, I am awed by your bravery and so sorry for what you are having to go through.