Latest news with #40DaysForLife
Fox News
29-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Pro-life leader praises bill requiring Ten Commandments in Texas schools: ‘A step in the right direction'
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, 40 Days for Life President and CEO Shawn Carney praised Texas lawmakers for passing legislation that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom in the state. The bill, approved by both chambers of the state Legislature and now awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature mandates that each classroom feature a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments that is at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, and legible from anywhere in the room. If signed, the law would take effect in the 2025–26 school year. "This is great," Carney said. "The Ten Commandments are good. It's basically the moral code for most people who have ever lived. No matter what their belief system, most people don't believe we should steal, kill, or commit adultery. "It's a beautiful thing," he added. "I'm proud to be a Texan where they're supporting this, and it's something that we need in the classrooms." Carney, who leads what he describes as the world's largest pro-life organization, operating in 64 countries, linked the legislation to a broader cultural shift. On its website, the group explains it is "an internationally coordinated 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." "These are good things - allowing a baby to live is good," Carney said. "The Ten Commandments are good." Addressing constitutional concerns, Carney pushed back on the argument that the legislation violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. "We have Moses in the U.S. Capitol. Nobody's ever raised a stink about that," he said. "Having the Ten Commandments, something that has been celebrated throughout generations of Americans who have gone before us, having those in the school is just not a big deal." Carney also emphasized that the historical intent behind the separation of church and state was to protect religious freedom, not to eliminate religious references from public institutions. "Jefferson wanted separation of church and state to protect the Church," he said, citing recent federal actions he views as infringing on religious liberty. "We saw the Biden administration try to force Catholic doctors to perform abortions or prescribe contraception. We need to protect the Church." He framed the bill as part of a broader backlash against what he described as a secular, "woke mentality" that he believes has eroded moral clarity. "Our schools are violent. They are places that need the Ten Commandments," Carney said. "Even if you don't believe in God, you should be able to learn about God. "There's been this push that believing in God is archaic," he continued. "This bill is another step in the right direction." Although the Supreme Court struck down a similar law in Stone v. Graham (1980), Carney believes Texas's effort will survive legal challenges. "I do think it'll survive the legal battles," he said. "Revisiting this with a new Supreme Court is very wise and something that needs to be done." Carney also sees the law as a potential model for other states. "Texas has set the bar high," he said. "This does set a precedent. Most atheists believe in the Ten Commandments. They are the basis of Western civilization." Looking to the future, Carney hopes the bill encourages greater moral formation nationwide. "The ideal result is that more states do this over the next five or 10 years," he said. "We need guidance. We don't do very well on our own. "The Ten Commandments point us to good. To discipline. To truth. To love. And to mercy," he added. "They help us know what's right from wrong. We all grow in virtue by learning and following the Ten Commandments, no matter our religious background." Texas would join Louisiana and Arkansas, which have already passed similar laws. Supporters of the legislation say the commandments represent a foundational code of conduct, while critics warn it could face constitutional scrutiny in federal court, FOX 4 reported.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Anti-abortion campaigners branded ‘disgusting' as they hold vigil near hospital
An anti-abortion group has been branded 'disgusting' and told 'you don't care about the women' as it staged a vigil near a maternity hospital. A woman who lives nearby strode over to accost members of the 40 Days For Life group as they held a prayer vigil close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The campaigners are outside the 200-metre abortion buffer zone in place around the hospital's maternity unit but are still visible on one of the main approaches to it via Shieldhall Road. They are planning a series of vigils from March 5 until April 13. On Wednesday morning, El Johnstone crossed the road from her home nearby to shout at the group and told them: 'You should be ashamed of yourselves.' Referring to the hospital, she said: '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.' Speaking to media afterwards, Ms Johnstone, who has experience of miscarriage, 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 who's going there. 'I just have empathy for the people that do need access to services today, people who are going through something, people who might be miscarrying, like I have, and seeing this, it just adds to more stress and a horrible situation made worse. I just don't think it's necessary.' She said the buffer zone should be expanded so campaigners cannot be in the vicinity of the hospital. There were shouts of 'disgusting' from motorists driving past as the group stood praying. Ms Johnstone also said she thinks people have been 'emboldened' by comments from US Vice-President JD Vance, who recently criticised Scotland's buffer zones and said he fears free speech is in retreat. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney dismissed his comments, saying: 'JD Vance is just wrong.' Pointing to the campaigners, Ms Johnstone said: 'These are the minority, and I feel like they are emboldened by JD Vance's recent comments saying that we have no freedom of speech. 'We do have freedom of speech. What we don't have is freedom from consequences. The buffer zone is there for a reason.' Six members of the group took part in the vigil on Wednesday, holding 40 days for Life placards with messages such as 'Choose life'. They did not want to speak to the media, saying only 'we are here to pray', as they stood at the junction of Shieldhall Road and Hardgate Road. Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the abortion buffer zone law which was passed last year, says it will face a 'real test' during the protests. She said she will work with police and health authorities to ensure the Safe Access Zones Act is upheld. In February, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested over an alleged breach of the legislation. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Mackay said: 'Safe access zones were introduced to protect patients and staff at our hospitals and to keep the protesters at bay, and that is what they have done. 'The fact that only a small number of protesters turned up and they have been consigned to roads that are further from the hospital is an important step forward. 'Nobody should have to pass graphic banners and placards to access healthcare, and I hope that these protests will become a thing of the past. 'I urge the protesters to read the testimony of the many women who have felt intimidated and judged by their actions and to ask themselves if they really want to be responsible for such hurt. 'Abortion rights are human rights. The ignorant claims from the US vice-president have emboldened trolls on social media, but the vast majority of people in Scotland support the right to go to hospital without harassment.' Earlier, an organiser for 40 Days for Life, which began in Texas, pledged not to beach the law. Mary Gilroy told the PA news agency: '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 200-metre 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.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Anti-abortion group challenged during protest near Glasgow hospital
An anti-abortion group was challenged during a controversial protest near a Glasgow hospital. Members of the 40 Days For Life group were branded 'disgusting' and accused of 'not caring about women' as they staged a vigil close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. They are planning a series of vigils from today until the middle of April, which includes holding 'choose life' signs and praying. Despite being outside the 200-metre abortion buffer zone in place around the hospital's maternity unit, they remain visible on one of the main approaches to it on Shieldhall Road. This caused outrage in the area with one woman, who has experienced of miscarriage, calling out the group after seeing the protest from her window. READ MORE: 'Sick' criminals targeted four Glasgow primary schools within hours El Johnstone (Image: PA) El Johnstone told them: 'You should be ashamed of yourselves.' Referring to the hospital, she said: '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.' Speaking to the media afterwards, Ms Johnstone, who has experience of miscarriage, 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 who's going there. 'I just have empathy for the people that do need access to services today, people who are going through something, people who might be miscarrying, like I have, and seeing this, it just adds to more stress and a horrible situation made worse. 'I just don't think it's necessary.' El Johnstone (Image: PA) I asked anti-abortion protesters what help they could actually offer me if I had an unwanted pregnancy. They had gathered close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow this morning. — Kirsty Feerick (@KirstyFeerick) March 5, 2025 A reporter from the Glasgow Times also approached the group to ask what help they could actually offer as members held signs saying 'Pregnant? Support is available'. However, they could not offer any on the spot support and instead handed over two phone numbers but no details. When pushed for more context they insisted they had to get back to their prayers and shut down the conversation. Meanwhile there were shouts of 'disgusting' from motorists driving past as the group continued to protest. A woman holds a baby as she stands with Members of 40 Days for Life (Image: Jane Barlow) Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the abortion buffer zone law which was passed last year, says it will face a 'real test' during the protests. She said she will work with police and health authorities to ensure the Safe Access Zones Act is upheld. In February, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested over an alleged breach of the legislation. Ms 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.'
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Anti-abortion campaigners branded ‘disgusting' as they hold vigil near hospital
An anti-abortion group has been branded 'disgusting' and told 'you don't care about the women' as it staged a vigil near a maternity hospital. A woman who lives nearby strode over to accost members of the 40 Days For Life group as they held a prayer vigil close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The campaigners are outside the 200-metre abortion buffer zone in place around the hospital's maternity unit but are still visible on one of the main approaches to it via Shieldhall Road. They are planning a series of vigils from March 5 until April 13. On Wednesday morning, El Johnstone crossed the road from her home nearby to shout at the group and told them: 'You should be ashamed of yourselves.' Referring to the hospital, she said: '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.' Speaking to media afterwards, Ms Johnstone, who has experience of miscarriage, 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 who's going there. 'I just have empathy for the people that do need access to services today, people who are going through something, people who might be miscarrying, like I have, and seeing this, it just adds to more stress and a horrible situation made worse. I just don't think it's necessary.' She said the buffer zone should be expanded so campaigners cannot be in the vicinity of the hospital. There were shouts of 'disgusting' from motorists driving past as the group stood praying. Ms Johnstone also said she thinks people have been 'emboldened' by comments from US Vice-President JD Vance, who recently criticised Scotland's buffer zones and said he fears free speech is in retreat. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney dismissed his comments, saying: 'JD Vance is just wrong.' Pointing to the campaigners, Ms Johnstone said: 'These are the minority, and I feel like they are emboldened by JD Vance's recent comments saying that we have no freedom of speech. 'We do have freedom of speech. What we don't have is freedom from consequences. The buffer zone is there for a reason.' Six members of the group took part in the vigil on Wednesday, holding 40 days for Life placards with messages such as 'Choose life'. They did not want to speak to the media, saying only 'we are here to pray', as they stood at the junction of Shieldhall Road and Hardgate Road. Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the abortion buffer zone law which was passed last year, says it will face a 'real test' during the protests. She said she will work with police and health authorities to ensure the Safe Access Zones Act is upheld. In February, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested over an alleged breach of the legislation. Ms 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.' Earlier, an organiser for 40 Days for Life, which began in Texas, pledged not to beach the law. Mary Gilroy told the PA news agency: '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 200-metre 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.'
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Anti-abortion group start Lent protests near Glasgow hospital
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 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 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 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 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 the 40 Days For Life group gathered further away from the building on Shieldhall Road. Meanwhile, Mackay said she would work with Police Scotland and health providers to ensure the new laws are 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 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 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 month US Vice-President JD Vance was accused of "spreading misinformation" about buffer zones at abortion clinics 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 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.
