Anti-abortion campaigners branded ‘disgusting’ as they hold vigil near Glasgow 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.

But the group says it will not break Scotland’s laws around buffer zones as it protests outside the 200-metre exclusion zone currently in place around the QEUH from Wednesday until April 13.

Last month, a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested and charged under the new abortion protest laws.

She was arrested and charged in connection with breach of the exclusion zone on Hardgate Road – opposite the QEUH.

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.

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay said the protests will be a major test of Scotland’s safe access zones.

She said: “The days ahead will be a real test of my Safe Access Zones Act. I will work with Police Scotland and health providers to ensure that it is upheld and that people are able to access healthcare free from intimidation and harassment.

“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.

Mackay added: “Abortion rights are human rights. They were long fought for and, especially when they are being undermined and eroded in the US and beyond, I will always stand up for the right to choose.”

The area has been a frequent target for anti-abortion activists and was the scene of the first arrest on February 19.

Police took away the woman for violating Scotland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which prohibits anti-abortion activists from protesting within 200 metres of an abortion clinic.

Mary Gilroy, who is organising the 40 Days For Life protests in Glasgow, pledged not to beach the law.

She said: “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.”

The 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 world.