AN evangelical US anti-abortion protest group is set to target a Scottish hospital despite buffer zones being in place.
Members from 40 Days for Life are set for another marathon round of protests outside of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) following comments from US vice president JD Vance who claimed the Scottish Government had made it illegal for people to pray in their own homes.
One MSP said Vance's comments "will be emboldening these groups".
According to the 40 Days for Life website, the hospital protests are being planned on Hardgate Road next to the QEUH in Glasgow, and will take place between March 5 and April 13.
This is despite anti-abortion protests within 200 metres of abortion service providers being banned in 2024.
On Tuesday, a 74-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly breaching abortion protest buffer zones legislation. It is the first case of its kind in Scotland since the restrictions came in.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who spearheaded legislation which passed last year, intends to raise the protest at Holyrood.
She said: “I urge 40 Days and anyone else who is planning to protest in a safe access zone to think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences.”
“The protests that have taken place outside Queen Elizabeth and other hospitals have been utterly shameful and have no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. That is why I introduced my Act, and why they are now illegal.
“These zones were introduced to stop the intimidation and obstruction of people accessing abortion services, including the shameful scenes of protest groups waving graphic banners and in some cases using megaphones and loudspeakers to abuse service users and staff.
“We know the awful impact that these protests have had. Some of the testimonies from women who have had to endure them have been heartbreaking. Why would anyone want to add to that hurt by spreading even more fear and anxiety?"
She added: “With JD Vance and his extreme supporters spreading toxic misinformation about Scotland, it is vital that we stand up for reproductive rights and against those who are working to undermine them.
“Abortion rights are human rights, and I know that the people of Scotland stand firmly against the anti-choice protests of US-backed campaign groups like 40 Days.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: "It is a disgrace this US-based group is planning a vigil after the Scottish Parliament passed a law protecting women from harassment. Women who access abortion services should be left in peace and robust action taken against anyone who flouts the law.
"Vice president Vance’s appalling comments last week will be emboldening these groups.”
