Local anger at abortion protests despite city ban
NEIGHBOURS living near to a Birmingham abortion clinic have condemned anti-abortion protests which resumed nearby weeks after a new ‘buffer zone’ was set up to protect patients and staff.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) came into force on September 7, banning all abortion protests outside the Robert Clinic in Kings Norton.
The order was granted after more than 2,000 people responded to a consultation following a rise in reports of antisocial behaviour since 2018.
These included reports of large groups chanting, blocking women from accessing the clinic, protesters handing out graphic leaflets and approaching local schoolchildren, plus altercations with local residents.
Signs were erected along the border on September 20, but locals say tensions in the local community have flared once again after ‘pro life’ activists were seen protesting at the edge of the buffer zone, outside the local Catholic church.
The protests are understood to be organised by 40 Days For Life, which usually pitches up directly outside the Robert Clinic twice a year for 40 consecutive days.
Neighbours claim the protests have already caused heated arguments in
the street, prompting police to be called. They are now calling on the city council to extend the PSPO.
Local resident Liz Bates said: “We were concerned at the outset that the boundary of the buffer zone would not be sufficient and would be too great a temptation for the protesters to resist.
“Sadly they have decided to go ahead and ignore 90 per cent of the community who find their protest abhorrent. We are concerned that the increased prominence of their protest, with signs, will prove to be a flash point and bring more tension to our neighbourhood.
“The protest caused regular disputes and arguments outside the clinic, this is not going to be any different. We are calling on the council
to extend the Buffer Zone further as this is causing distress and tension.”
According to council documents, the size of the PSPO zone was reduced following written representations from the Archdiocese of Birmingham and meetings with 40 Days For Life.
Responding to the consultation, a spokesperson for 40 Days For Life claimed its protesters had been subjected to incidents of spitting and having cars drive down the street towards them at high speed, swerving away at the last second.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We’re aware of concerns from residents and the local neighbourhood policing team are working with them and have been notified about the issues.”
A 40 Days for Life spokesperson said: “The vigil participants have organised the campaign in a peaceful, prayerful and legal manner and have been careful to conduct the campaign in a legal manner, given the introduction of a PSPO.
“A PSPO in effect criminalises silent prayer, which we believe is disproportionate to the situation, while it also prevents women from receiving help in a loving and compassionate manner.”