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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pro-Lifers told to keep their distance

180 replies

longwayoff · 21/08/2019 11:44

A court has ruled that anti-abortionists should keep 100 meters away from women attending the Ealing clinic. AIBU to say quite right too?

OP posts:
HugsAreMyDrugs · 21/08/2019 11:45

They should just keep away completely tbh.

Figgygal · 21/08/2019 11:45

Absolutely right those people are disgusting and should be ashamed of their behaviour

Celebelly · 21/08/2019 11:47

YANBU. They're scum.

Spingtrolls · 21/08/2019 11:47

Good they have been told to keep away. But could have made the distance more

Soubriquet · 21/08/2019 11:48

Finally

It’s awful that they stand directly outside putting off so many women

I hope one day it’s even further and then banned completely

Thehop · 21/08/2019 11:49

Should be further.

No woman is going there for fun and deserves to be left alone

BogglesGoggles · 21/08/2019 11:50

Good decision. A political belief isn’t an excuse for harassing people. I have every respect for the pro-life stance. It’s impossible to factually pin down a specific moment when life begins. I understand why people use conception/birth for intellectual clarity and convenience (although I would rather admit that I don’t know the answer than choose an easy but problematic answer). If I believed life started at conception I would feel exactly as they do. But I wouldn’t presume to harass those who feel differently because I know that the assertion that life begins at conception isn’t entirely defensible and that it is valid to come to a different conclusion.

Thorilicious · 21/08/2019 11:51

YANBU. I'd love to hear from the small percentage who have said YABU to explain their reasons why....

SuzieBishop · 21/08/2019 11:52

They are horrible pieces of shit - just like anyone who voted YABU.

BogglesGoggles · 21/08/2019 11:52

Agree with PP that 100 m doesn’t seem that much. I don’t know the geography but would be worried that they’d be able to spot people coming in and out and target them but maybe not.

ThePolishWombat · 21/08/2019 11:52

YANBU.
The people who think it’s ok to harass these women are a special calibre of cunt Angry

MephistophelesApprentice · 21/08/2019 11:54

I signed that petition and took part in the survey. They used to keep their distance well away from the entrance, then they started standing right outside, then I saw them accosting patients going in and out, following them with leaflets. Way, way, way too far over the line for legitimate protest. Damn right they've been knocked back and corralled.

Venger · 21/08/2019 12:00

YANBU, it's about time and I hope it's the first step in a process that makes it illegal for them to be there full stop. No one should be harassed, intimidated, or threatened on their way to attend any medical appointment.

IAmALazyArse · 21/08/2019 12:02

I am interested in the argument of 2% who voted YABU

BigFatLiar · 21/08/2019 12:19

All protesters should keep clear not just pro-lifers.

Fed up with people stopping me going about to tell me I need to be concerned about xyz. Women should be free to go to their clinic unmolested, we should all be free to get on with our lives unmolested.

nowahousewife · 21/08/2019 12:25

Totally agree they should not be allowed near the clinic. I live in Ealing and was delighted when this injunction first came about earlier this year after many years of seeing these awful people gathered outside with their leaflets, signs and rosary beads.
For those concerned about the distance, it is fine because they now have to gather at the intersection of 2 roads and women coming to the clinic can come in from the other end. That said it is next to a very busy medical centre so it would be hard to determine who is going to the Marie Stopes clinic.
The two things that really annoy me about this (apart from the obvious that it is no ones business what a woman does with her body) is that there are generally more men than women and if you challenge them as to how they plan on giving support to any woman who changes her mind they have no practical answers. GRRR

user1471432735 · 21/08/2019 12:27

We have similar legislation in my state in Australia. One of the MP’s who was instrumental in drafting the law said the protestors could stand outside parliament or even her office if they wanted to, but they had to right to intimidate and harass people attending a medical clinic.

I think there’s a special place in hell for them

Monestasi · 21/08/2019 12:31

I would take fire hoses to the lot of them.

Glad to see YANBU is at 99% on this one.

user1473069303 · 21/08/2019 12:37

Forced-birther scumbags.

What are they doing about the existing babies and children in the world who are not getting their basic needs met?

Userzzzzz · 21/08/2019 12:40

100m isn’t far enough. Those protestors are absolute scum. I’d lock them up for harassment if I could.

GruciusMalfoy · 21/08/2019 12:43

Good, no woman deserves to be harassed and put under any additional upset when they're at their most vulnerable.

Hithere12 · 21/08/2019 12:47

I’d rather it was 500 meters to be honest.

Hithere12 · 21/08/2019 12:48

The people who do this are vile bullies.

Lamentations · 21/08/2019 12:48

I haven't voted on this. It's an emotive and complex issue. Not everyone who is Pro Life is, or behaves like, a piece of shit. Same as Pro Choice.

I absolutely agree that it is shitty behaviour to stand right outside an abortion clinic holding up horrible images, judgemental signs or being intimidating.

I also know there are groups that go to these places with sincere intentions to offer practical help and support to any women who feel conflicted and may feel as though they have no choice. Some women have changed their decision to terminate a pregnancy at the last minute due to the support of these people and are likely very grateful they were there.

How to have one without the other though? It's probably necessary to have changed the law but it's not all positive.

AbbyNormal · 21/08/2019 12:49

100m isn't enough. Should be blasted into the sun. Bunch of twats.