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Anti-abortion group starts Lent hospital protests

PA Anti-abortion protesters holding placards near a hospital in Glasgow. Five demonstrators are pictured. They are all wearing warm winter clothing and some are holding rosary beads.PA
A small group held up placards a short distance away from the buffer zone

A US anti-abortion group has started a series of Lent protests outside a Glasgow hospital but says it will not break Scotland's new buffer zone law.

Campaigners from 40 Days For Life have pledged to stay outside the 200m (656ft) safe access zone around clinics.

Last month a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested for protesting near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act came into force last year and prohibits anti-abortion activists from protesting near 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland.

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who drew up the law, said the coming weeks would be a "real test" for the new legislation.

The group is planning to hold "vigils" on Hardgate Road, across from the hospital until 13 April, the Sunday before Easter.

The area has been a frequent target for anti-abortion activists.

Six people, including a woman with a baby, gathered from around 08:00 and began quietly praying.

Some held signs that said "Choose life" and "Help is out there".

An area of Hardgate Road, opposite the entrance to the hospital's maternity unit, has previously been a focal point for protests.

But the 40 Days For Life group gathered further away from the building on Shieldhall Road.

Getty Images A lady with a serious expression pictured walking down a well-lit corridor in the Scottish Parliament building. She has long brown hair and is wearing a green jacket, black top and a patterned neck scarf.Getty Images
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay who drew up the legislation

Meanwhile, Mackay said she would work with Police Scotland and health providers to ensure the new laws are followed.

The MSP added no-one should be subjected to "intimidation and harassment".

Mackay said: "For far too long women have had to endure totally unacceptable abuse and obstruction outside hospitals.

"It should never have happened, and my Act to stop it received the overwhelming support of our parliament.

"I urge anyone else who is planning to protest to look at the testimonies from people who have had to endure gauntlets of graphic banners and ask themselves if they really want to be responsible for causing even more pain and upset."

JD Vance comments

Mary Gilroy, who is organising the 40 Days For Life protests in Glasgow, previously pledged its members would not to breach the law during Lent.

The period of six weeks from Ash Wednesday - 40 days not including Sundays - leading up to Easter is regarded as the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

The group describes itself as "an internationally co-ordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses".

It was founded in Texas but holds demonstrations outside abortion clinics around the world.

Last month US Vice-President JD Vance was accused of "spreading misinformation" about buffer zones at abortion clinics in Scotland.

In a speech at the Munich Security Conference Vance claimed people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes.

Mackay said Vance's claims were "nonsense" and added that private prayer at home had never been impacted.

A Scottish government spokesperson said no letters had been sent out saying people could not pray in their homes, and only "intentional or reckless behaviour" was covered by the new law.