PROTESTERS FACE OFF IN CLINIC CLASH
Hundreds of people yesterday staged a counter-protest outside a sexual health clinic. ‘Brick up’ door stunt provokes counter-demo
The demonstration came in response to a bid to “brick up” the entrance to Glasgow’s Sandyford Clinic in a protest over abortion and trans rights.
The Scottish Fami ly Party blockaded the door of the clinic with fake bricks made out of cardboard boxes.
It comes amid a rising number of protests outside abortion clinics in Scotland, where women are intimidated while attending medical appointments.
Moves are being made by the
Scottish Government to create buffer zones which would make it illegal for pro-life activists to stage demonstrations within 330ft of any abortion clinic. But
yesterday hundreds gathered to protest against a demonstration by activists from the SFP, which is led by ex-UKIP member Richard Lucas. It’s described as being against equality and rights for people who are gay and trans. It is also against women having abortions.
It claims to promote family values and yesterday boasted about its stunt on social media.
A spokesperson for Cabaret Against The Hate Speech, which helped to organise the counterdemo said: “The Sandyford clinic is a lifeline for a lot of people for many different reasons.
“We believe in access to abortion for everyone, and trans-affirming healthcare is a human right.”
A small group from the SFP gathered outside the clinic at around 8am before counterprotesters began to arrive.
Online videos show pol ice separating the rival groups.
On Twitter the SFP wrote: “Bricking up the Sandyford Clinic Demonstrating that this place should be shut down.”
Back Off Scotland, which is campaigning for clinic buffer zones, previously said the SFP’s plans were “incredibly worrying”.
It added: “To want to remove access to abortion this badly is bad enough – but to want to do this to a clinic that also provides rape crisis services is unspeakable.”