Anti-abortion group will not break Scotland’s buffer zones

A US anti-abortion group planning a series of protests outside a Scottish hospital have pledged not to break the country’s laws around buffer zones.

40 Days For Life said it would stay outside the 200m exclusion zone in place around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The group is planning to hold “vigils” on Hardgate Road, across from the hospital, from 5 March until 13 April.

The area has been a frequent target for anti-abortion activists. Last week a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested for protesting near the hospital.

Police took away the woman for violating the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act and charged her in connection with breach of an exclusion zone.

The act came into force last year and prohibits anti-abortion activists from protesting within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland.

Mary Gilroy, who is organising the 40 Days For Life protests in Glasgow, pledged not to breach the law.

She said: “The 40 Days for Life prayer group will not be operating within the buffer zone but will instead pray for help and protection for mothers and their unborn babies from a 200m distance from the abortion facility.

“We have arranged to meet with police services ahead of the planned dates and are grateful for our good working relations that protect our ability to pray.

“We invite anyone who wants to chat to us about support for continuing their pregnancy to feel free to do so. In a nation like Scotland, it should never be illegal to pray or to have a consensual conversation.”

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.

Earlier this month, US Vice-President JD Vance took aim at Scotland’s buffer zones and incorrectly claimed people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes.

The Scottish government 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 act.

Within the buffer zones, it is a criminal offence to behave in ways that could influence the decisions of women and staff to access services.

Stopping women and staff from entering the clinics or otherwise causing alarm, harassment or distress is also an offence.

Those who break the laws could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases.