US anti-abortion group pledges not to break Scotland's buffer zones law

An American anti-abortion group planning a series of protests outside a Scottish hospital have pledged not to break the country’s laws around buffer zones.

40 Days For Life said it will stay outside the 200-metre exclusion zone in place around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The group is planning to hold “vigils” on Hardgate Road, across from the hospital, from March 5 until April 13.

The area has been a frequent target for anti-abortion activists and last week a 74-year-old woman became the first person in Scotland to be arrested for staging such a protest.

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 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.”

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.