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40 days of ‘disgusting’ harassment begins at Scotland's abortion clinics
A woman holds a baby as she stands with Members of 40 Days for Life, a Texas-based international organization that campaigns against abortion, to take part in a "prayer vigil" outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, March 5, 2025

TEXAS-BASED anti-choice group 40 Days for Life has been branded “disgusting” as it recommences the harassment of women exercising bodily autonomy.

The half-dozen-strong group gathered just beyond the 200m buffer zone at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth Unversity Hospital in a prayer vigil.

One local was keen to share her views with them.

As passing motorists shouted “disgusting” at the gathering, Ms El Johnstone strode across the road from her house to tell them: “You should be ashamed of yourselves!

“You have no idea what the women there have gone through or are going through, you do not know.

“You have no respect for the women, you don’t care about the women.”

The group refused to speak to the media, but Ms Johnstone said:

“I woke up this morning and went to have my breakfast and could see this from my bedroom window. I’m not receiving the healthcare and this has upset me so much.

“So imagine if you were going through a horrible horrible decision in your life and you’re faced with this.

“You can pray in your church. You can pray in your houses. You do not need to come and pray outside a healthcare facility and upset everybody.”

Warning the group had been “emboldened “ by US vice-president JD Vance’s claims of freedom of speech in retreat, she said: “We do have freedom of speech. What we don’t have is freedom from consequences.

“The buffer zone is there for a reason.”

Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the buffer zone legislation at Holyrood last year commented:  

“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.”

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