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?

Jus, there are plenty of medical images on google. You don't need to actually be there to take the photos yourself. There is still quite a bit to see at 9 weeks. Certainly more than 'a bundle of cells'.

MadAsAFish, all of them do that do they? I'm not sure why they would need to. A 23 week old foetus very clearly resembles a full term baby and is within the legal time frame for abortion. I don't think you can 'categorically' state anything seeing as you really don't know all these people or what else they campaign for.

I'm not sure why you are gobsmacked that someone thinks that people are entitled to their opinions and are entitled to protest against things they disagree with. I find it quite shocking that so many people are prepared to make sweeping generalisations and accuse people of domestic violence and abuse of the elderly based on their beliefs about abortion.

Freudian, many people who consider themselves pro-choice also have ideas about when abortion is 'ok' . A lot of them don't agree with abortion after 24 weeks for example.

I think they should be challenged on a regular basis by anyone who is brave enough because people's opinions do change. One of my childhood memories, early 70s, was going to an anti abortion march in London with my Catholic parents and hearing the protesters against the march chant "Women to decide their fate, not the church, not the state." I grew up with more liberal views.Even my parents in their 70s now have relaxed their stance.

Sashh, I'm not sure that I've seen that particular picture but ive seen other, graphic ones. There are late term abortions though - in the UK and elsewhere. Are the bags for disposal of medical waste?

being pro choice is exactly what says how can you be pro choice with conditions, look up the meaning of the word choice

being uncomfortable with late abortions is one thing which many people are but agree up to a certain point is no different to saying well if the woman was raped etc it is not allowing women to have a choice over her own body

I'm so sorry Assasin

Freudian, being pro-choice means you support the woman's right to choose. To be genuinely pro-choice you would need to support the right of a woman to choose to have an abortion for whatever reason she wants right up to term. Very people genuinely think that. (Thank goodness!)

I know what being pro choice means

I know many claim to be pro choice but are not really, or with conditions which is not really pro choice is it

thankfully the law the law does not take into account the thoughts and feelings of others other than the woman who is pregnant

They don't just stand there, they shout awful things and often follow people leaving the clinic while shouting. It is disgusting.

bumbleymummy

It's well known that they use images far more advanced than the cut off date for terminations.

And why use them at all? Do they not think that a woman knows what the foetus inside her looks like? Why try to shame her using images at all?

The protests are in the wrong place though. If you think abortion shouldn't be legal, campaign at parliament.

Campaigning in front of abortion clinics harassing women who are making a legal choice around their body makes you a shithead. End of.

Yes pomme exactly.

It's intimidating vulnerable women. What a way to spend your time - slow hand clap for all you anti abortion protesters.

assassin thank you for posting - I'm so sorry you're in this impossible situation

There is a lot of anger and rudeness on this thread. And the few people who dare to speak up for those anti abortion are quickly shouted down. Is their opinion less important than yours because you disagree?

Whatever you say abortion does forcibly take away the life of a person who has no control over anything. Surely you can see that??? That embryo, foetus, baby.. Is a person. And as such deserves some consideration.

Not any more rude or angry than any AIBU thread. I've seen worse on parking threads.

Fundamentally, there is no upside to forcing people to have children they don't want. Every child should be a wanted child. The only thing so-called 'pro-life' - actually anti-choice - people want, is to punish women who have been bad. They might not admit it, but it's true.

And by bad, I mean have had sex. Being puritanical about sex goes hand in hand with being anti-choice.

Whatever you say abortion does forcibly take away the life of a person who has no control over anything

And lack of choice forcibly takes away the life of the woman who is forced to continue her pregnancy against her wishes. Surely YOU can see that??? That embryo, foetus, baby.. is INSIDE a person, a human being with feelings. And she, as such deserves some A LOT of consideration.

Flock, just because someone has an opinion that you don't agree with does not make them beaters of the elderly and perpetrators of domestic violence. You don't "see" them doing those things so they mustn't do them? I guess they mustn't shit either then. hmm

Show me some anti choicers who actively support the women and children they spend their days intimidating and i'll take it back.

But until then my opinion remains the same - They are bullies through and through and if it werent these women and children, it'd be another equally vulnerable group they were bullyin, because that's all they're interested in.

Women vs embryo. I chose women an since having daughters my conviction is even stronger.

Mouldypineapple an embryo or a foetus is not a person. Hope that clears that up for you.

I think you'll find an embryo is a person.
When you have a wanted pregnancy do you look at your ultrasounds and say 'what a lovely ball of cells' or 'what a lovely baby'?
When that baby is wriggling around in your womb do you think 'oh that ball of cells is moving again'? Or 'how lovely my baby is wriggling. Can't wait to meet him or her when they come out'?
And that's not a person?? Going to take a lot to convince me of that one. Oh wait, you won't.
Conception = creation of a person.

Mouldy I'd be amazed if any woman who has gone through a termination has not considered the life of the foetus. That's why women describe it as a dreadful event in their lives, even if they are certain that it was the right thing to do.

I don't see these protest outside clinics as an expression of free speech. I consider them to be shamefully intimidating of vulnerable women.

What do you mean by the graphic images not being true? Do you think they photoshop them or something?

(None of the following are graphic)
Erm, lie
photoshopped
lie
doesn't even make sense or have anything to do with each other

As you believe that mouldy - I fully support your right not to have an abortion. I don't support any body telling another woman she shouldn't be able to terminate a pregnancy based on their beliefs.

As MrsDeVere pointed out desperate women will seek out ways to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. She should be allowed to do this in a safe, secure, legal way.

When you have a wanted pregnancy do you look at your ultrasounds and say 'what a lovely ball of cells' or 'what a lovely baby'?

Wanted - very much a baby. A wanted baby.
Unwanted - a parasite. Something that I wanted out of me as soon as possible. Something that overshadowed my life & made me depressed.

When that baby is wriggling around in your womb do you think 'oh that ball of cells is moving again'? Or 'how lovely my baby is wriggling. Can't wait to meet him or her when they come out'?

Wanted - marvelled at how active she was. How I couldn't wait to meet her.
Unwanted - didn't get that far.

But I will extend your question to the stretching cramps?morning sickness/carpal tunnel/SPD.

Wanted - my baby is growing. I am growing. My hormones are raging. That must mean all is well.
Unwanted - the parasite is getting bigger. Soon it'll be too big to do anything about (I was 7 weeks at this point). The hospital will refuse to do it as I am too far on. If they refuse to do I will have to make sure I end it myself. How will I do that. I could crash my car. But then my other daughter's might be left motherless, or it might not work. And I'll be disabled & pregnant.

The image of my daughter (5) rubbing my back as I sobbed uncontrollably when I found out is etched on my brain. The way I was with all my family at that time shames me.

Whether you think of it as a person or not is irrelevant to me until you have lived all I have described above. I wish people wouldn't underestimate the burden, the emotional cost of an unwanted pregnancy. They have no idea how it impacts. No idea at all.