Anti-abortion billboard ad is torn down from next to a busy highway after a huge backlash
- Anti-abortion billboard has been taken down from a highway in New South Wales
- The advert featured a woman making a love heart over her pregnant stomach
- Petition called for it to be taken down and the owner of the ad space removed it
An anti-abortion billboard ad that was erected next to a busy highway has been torn down following a massive backlash.
The billboard, featuring an image of a woman making a love heart with her hands over her pregnant stomach, was put up on Pacific Highway in Belmont North, Lake Macquarie, on the New South Wales North Coast,
The advertisement was put up by anti-abortion group Emily's Voice, and includes the phrase: 'A heart beats at four weeks'.
Shaynie Croese was so incensed by the billboard that she started a petition calling for it to be taken down - and has now won her fight.
An anti-abortion billboard ad that was erected next to a busy highway has been torn down following a massive backlash
oOh!media, the company that owns the advertising space, said they removed it because 'it could cause offence' and 'did not meet with our own guidelines'.
'The advertiser has been advised of our decision and been refunded its costs, and the advertising is being removed immediately,' a spokesman said.
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Emily's Voice chief executive Paul O'Rourke had earlier defended the billboard. and said there are more than a dozen posted in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania with the same message.
'The billboard doesn't 'tell women what to do with their bodies' it states a scientific fact and links to a website where women can access information to make an informed choice,' Mr O'Rourke told Daily Mail Australia.
The advertisement was seen on buses in Newcastle before NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance called for its removal last month, writing on Facebook that he was 'appalled'.
The sign was recently seen on buses in Newcastle (pictured) before Transport Minister Andrew Constance called for its removal
After the bus ads were removed, Mr O'Rourke wrote in a blog post on the Emily's Voice website saying they were surprised the messages received complaints.
'The advertisements were approved by Go Transit and, presumably the bus operators, before they were affixed to buses. Go Transit felt the ads were appropriate, sensitive and measured, our stated intentions,' Mr O'Rourke said.
'Neither the advertisement, nor the website contain any images or information that, in any way, shames, condemns or is critical of women who may have had an abortion.
'We are fiercely pro-women and for-children.'
Emily's Voice CEO claims the message (pictured) does not tell women what to do with their bodies, but gives information where they can make an informed choice
Mr O'Rourke claimed the billboards were no different to those that warn people about cancer or car accidents.
The billboard was posted on a private property owned by Josephine Gatt and her husband.
Ms Gatt earlier told Nine News the billboard had been up for many years.
'The billboard company approached my husband to put the billboard up. I have nothing to do with what is put up there,' she said.
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