West London’s Ealing Council made history last night after unanimously voting for the UK’s first ‘safe zone’ around a Marie Stopes clinic.
The abortion clinic has been regularly protested by the Catholic anti-abortion Good Counsel Network. People at the protests are handing out teddy bears to women attempting to access the clinic and calling them ‘mum’.
The Guardian reports that Anne Veglio-White - the co-founder of the pro-choice organisation Sister Supporter (which has been protesting the religious group) - claims women visiting the legal clinic have been asked to 'pick pink or blue rosaries for the sex of their unborn child.’
The protests have been seen my many as harassment. One women called Lisa Jones told the BBC that their protesting made her feel ‘like a criminal’.
She reports that the anti-choice protesters told her she was ‘a murderer’ and that these words still ‘haunt’ her.
Reports like these were put to the council during a public consultation, which received more than 3,500 responses - an unprecedented amount.
The Guardian reports that, '81% of respondents had seen the concerning behaviours, while 83% had seen explicit imagery. Between 85% and 90% were supportive of the proposed (Public Space Protection Order) PSPO.
'The council found that those who supported the proposed buffer zone were ‘overwhelmingly local residents.’
Yesterday evening the vote went through, supporting the plan to create a buffer zone outside of the clinic.
Council leader Julian Bell spoke out after the meeting to make clear this is not an issue pro or against abortion, but one of choice instead. By harassing women on their way to access safe and legal medical council these protesters are stymying women’s ability to choose freely, which is legal right as much as free speech.
He said:
I believe that this is something that’s long been needed, so it feels good that we are breaking the ground with this and leading the way. So I’m proud that we are doing it.
I’m, personally, a practising Christian myself and so I think it’s important to recognise that this is about protecting women from harassment and intimidation. We’ve always been clear that that’s what this was about. It wasn’t a debate for or against abortion.
Many people, including Sadiq Khan, have praised the move on Twitter, hoping this landmark case can be seen in councils around the country - ensuring vulnerable people get the medical care they need without undue emotional turmoil.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
