Manchester council could ban anti-abortion protests outside clinics to protect women from harassment
Councillors will this morning debate a motion proposing to ‘explore every possible option’ and ‘take all necessary actions within its powers’ to stop women being ‘intimidated and harassed’ outside clinics in the city.
The proposals follow a similar move in London.
They say women in the city are being followed, recorded and questioned when they enter or leave Manchester’s abortion centres, while ‘graphic’ leaflets featuring ‘dismembered foetuses’ are distributed outside.
‘Significant’ numbers have reported feeling intimidated and distressed as a result, according to those behind the motion.
It is understood vigils outside the Marie Stopes clinic in Fallowfield have been creating particular concern for the council.
Today’s proposal comes after Ealing council in West London last week agreed to draw up a Public Space Protection Order regarding a specific abortion centre that had attracted daily vigils.
That ban - now out to public consultation - would be likely to stop people approaching or watching women entering the clinic, displaying signs with distressing imagery or congregating in large groups.
Now Manchester Council’s ruling Labour group is proposing to take its own action. Although the motion does not specify how a ban would work, it specifically notes Ealing council’s decision, thought to be the first of its kind in the country.
It is understood any Manchester ban would also need to go out to public consultation.
“This council commits to fully explore every possible option and will take all necessary actions within its powers, utilising all necessary resources, to prevent anti-abortion protestors from intimidating and harassing women outside the Manchester abortion clinics,” reads the Manchester council motion.
“The council will do this to provide the necessary reassurance and security that all women need and deserve as they access healthcare and to defend the quality of life of those residents living nearby who pass the clinic on a regular basis.”
Like abortion clinics in other parts of the country, Manchester’s centres have attracted protests from pro-life groups.
The Marie Stopes clinic in Fallowfield drew hundreds of demonstrators when it opened in 2005, although the protest was peaceful.
Vigils have also been held outside since then, including by the anti-abortion organisation 40 Days for Life, and reports suggest efforts have been more active in recent months.
The 40 days group’s website is promoting plans for a ‘groundbreaking’ five-week vigil from mid-February.
It is understood today’s motion has already attracted complaints from pro-life groups.
The suggestion has been put forward and signed by five female Labour councillors - Coun Sarah Judge, who proposed it, and Coun Sarah Judge, Coun Madeleine Monaghan, Coun Bev Craig, Coun Suzanne Richards and Coun Shelley Lanchbury.
It says its signatories are not ‘for or against abortion’ but seeks to protect individuals from harassment while accessing legal health services.
“Many protesters use deliberately disturbing and graphic images and models, including those purporting to be of dismembered foetuses,” it says.
“They also distribute leaflets containing misleading information about abortion, and often follow, record and question women as they enter or leave the centres.
“Significant numbers of women report feeling intimidated and distressed by this activity as they try to access a lawful healthcare service in confidence.
“The right to protest needs to be balanced with the right of pregnant women to choose and to obtain advice and treatment in confidence and free from intimidation. “Those who wish to campaign to restrict women’s reproductive choices have plenty of opportunities and locations in which to do so.
“The area outside a clinic need not and should not be one of them. Equally, local residents who live nearby clinics should not have to be exposed to constant nuisance, disruption and anxiety caused by such protests on a daily basis.”
Today’s motion will not be whipped, meaning councillors will be free to speak and vote according to their conscience rather than according to party policy.
Groups who have been peacefully praying outside the Fallowfield Marie Stopes abortion centre are asking councillors to reject a motion to be brought forward at a Manchester City Council meeting on Wednesday 24th January which seeks to have the groups banned from praying outside the abortion centre and any other abortion centre in the city.
One of the groups run a prayer vigil usually three mornings each week for 1-2 hours, and the other, 40 Days for Life, run a vigil at the location for 40 consecutive days in the spring and autumn.
Members of 40 Days for Life sign a statement of peace before attending the Vigils and at no stage has either group harassed or intimidated any women going to the Marie Stopes abortion clinic. Neither have the groups blocked the pavement or approached the entrance.
Unfortunately the prayer groups have had no contact from Sarah Judge or the seconder of the motion Madeleine Monaghan ahead of the vote. The groups are seeking to meet with the council to find a solution to any issues that have been raised.
They feel the Council should be looking at this option first, as it is a less expensive, socially divisive and less legally problematic path than seeking to ban the group through any legal measure such as a Public Safety Protection Order (PSPO) or similar.
John Marechal, who has regularly attended the Vigil said: “It is quite wrong to label these peaceful vigils as ‘protests’. Local people simply pray quietly and offer help to any woman approaching the abortion clinic who wants support and advice.
“Many children are alive today because of the help their mothers received through an encounter with a pro-life vigil.”
Antonia Tully, Director of Campaigns at SPUC, said, “Manchester City Council is repeating the false and evidence-free claims made by Ealing Council that ‘harassment and intimidation’ are taking place at peaceful pro-life vigils. Pro-life vigils are always conducted within the law and to the highest standards of respect and sensitivity to every woman entering the abortion clinic. There is absolutely no harassment or intimidation.”
John Marechal of the SPUC Manchester Region said: “It is quite wrong to label these peaceful vigils as ‘protests’. Local people simply pray quietly and offer help to any woman approaching the abortion clinic who wants support and advice. Many children are alive today because of the help their mothers received through an encounter with a pro-life vigil”.
Mr Marechal added: “The motion before Manchester City Council is trying to stop law-abiding citizens from offering help to vulnerable women”.
