Buffer Zone at BPAS clinic in Twickenham

[RNBrie]

Richmond Council have fairly quietly launched a consultation into a buffer zone around the abortion clinic in Twickenham.

Here haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/community-safety/rosslyn-road/

The timing is interesting given the Home Office announcement that there won't be national legislation to prevent protests around clinics.

Thought I'd give the consultation a shout out - you don't have to live in the borough to respond to it.

Ok, so the rights of abusive men to importune women accessing healthcare are more important than the rights of those women to access this healthcare without harassment according to the law.

Men?

All the footage I've seen has shown predominently women protesting.

In fairness the paid protester outside the Richmond clinic is a woman. But the other regular attendees are men. I don't think this is a men v women debate in reality... but the rights of the protesters to protest are certainly overriding the rights of women to access healthcare anonymously, to go about their day without being harassed and intimidated...

The legislation for the freedom of expression is pretty clear that this right is subject to restrictions:

"The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary."

I think a case could be made that what they are doing doesn't count as a legitimate protest because they aren't actually directing their actions at legislators; they are targeting ordinary members of the public. If they really wanted to protest they would do so in a place where they would be visible to politicians. If this service was being offered in an NHS hospital they would be moved on if they attempted to congregate outside the doors because the hospital would have a duty to protect the well being of all patients. And there are other exemptions to protesting on the grounds on decency - eg: the Westboro Baptist Church were not allowed to come to the UK to protest at funerals.

Have just signed it. It does sicken me seeing how much these poor women, who are already in a state of trauma, are being attacked just at their lowest moment. Freedom of expression is one thing, but this is just bullying.

One thing I did say though is that the buffer zone should fall short of St Stephen's Church. There's always a balance to be struck I suppose.

Bumpity Bump!!