05-03-2025
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.
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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.'
