BUFFER zone campaigners have warned of the impact a victory for Donald Trump can have on abortion rights, with an MSP telling The National that Scotland "cannot be complacent" in protecting abortion care.
Back Off Scotland, which launched the campaign to introduce no-protest zones outside of healthcare clinics, posted a statement on social media after Trump's win on Wednesday, telling followers: "If you think this is distant, you’re mistaken".
The group urged people to donate to charities in the US that care for those seeking abortion care and committed to being part of the campaign to ensure safe abortions.
They also told followers that American anti-abortion organisations have been influencing protests in Scotland "for years now", and this could continue.
Gillian Mackay – the MSP who spearheaded Scotland's buffer zones legislation – told The National that "standing still is not an option" as Trump's win could "embolden" the anti-choice movement across the world as seen during his previous presidency term.
Despite a small social media presence, anti-abortion protests in Scotland have been linked to an American religious organisation since 2014.
40 Days for Life, founded in Texas, is a religious group who have links to the Catholic Diocese and recruits members to stand outside of abortion clinics and harass and intimidate women seeking to access vital health care.
The group was previously suspected of "bussing" people into Glasgow to take part in protests outside of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
Although safe access zones are in force in Scotland, banning people from protesting against abortion outside clinics or hospitals offering the service, Back Off Scotland said that Trump’s brand of "racism and misogyny" is becoming apparent in politics "across the world".
"Here in the UK, the huge surge in votes for Reform at the General Election in July should be enough of a red flag," the group posted.
In a picture post, the group wrote: "It's more important than ever to pay attention. We cannot allow American anti-abortion values, money or people [to] influence our laws on abortion or our public opinion.
"We also can't allow MAGA-style politics to descend on Scotland or the UK, or anywhere across the world. We have to hold our governments accountable for how they interact with the incoming Trump administration."
They added: "We are devastated for everyone in the US - for those seeking abortions, for the LGBTQ+ community, for immigrants and their families - and for those beyond its borders who will undoubtedly feel the effects of today."
MSPs overwhelmingly passed a law earlier this year after concerns mounted around huge protests being held at places such as the QEUH in Glasgow.
Scottish Greens MSP Mackay hailed it as a “crucial moment for reproductive rights” as women are protected against harassment and intimidation from demonstrators when accessing abortion care.
Commenting on Trump's win and the effect it could have across the globe on abortion rights, MacKay (below, centre) told The National: "I share the huge disappointment of many people across the US who know what a Trump administration means for their bodily autonomy, and the fear that they have about what the future holds.
“This will embolden the anti-choice movement globally, which is something we must be aware of. My hope is that the states who do have access to vital, life-saving abortion care will not be overruled, and the fight to reinstate services across all states will continue.
“Standing still is not an option. We may have made major leaps in protecting the reproductive rights of people in our own country, but we cannot be complacent.
The Greens spokesperson for health added: “The best thing we can do to stand in solidarity and advance reproductive rights around the world is to ensure that we continue to lead by example and build on the progress we have made.”
During the campaign, Trump mainly avoided setting out a stance on abortion but as president from 2016 until 2021, he packed the Supreme Court with justices who were responsible for the overturn of Roe v Wade in 2022 which has had major effects for women across the US.
However, he has since said he would veto a federal ban on abortion and said it is up for individual states to decide.
