Hundreds gathered to protest against a demonstration by activists from the Scottish Family Party outside a clinic in Glasgow this morning.
Memebrs of the extremist fringe group The Scottish Family Party (SFP) blockaded the entrance to the Sandyford Clinic on Saturday, March 11 using fake bricks made from cardboard.
SFP member Niall Fraser revealed earlier this week how they planned to 'impede people from getting into the building.'
A small group from the SFP gathered outside the clinic at around 8am this morning before counter protesters began to arrive.
Videos online show police having to separate the rival groups, with hundreds gathered to show their disdain for the SFP's stunt.
This morning's protests came amidst calls for legislation to introduce ‘buffer zones’ laws at abortion facilities to protect pregnant people from intimidation.
If granted, the legislation would make it illegal for pro-life activists to stage demonstrations within a 100m vicinity of any abortion clinic.
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian McKay, who brought forward the legislation, said: “The Sandyford clinic provides vital services including reproductive rights and trans healthcare. The Family Party’s decision to target it is totally inappropriate and is an attempt to intimidate and stigmatise service users.
“My buffer zones Bill will end these protests for good and will ensure that nobody is obstructed or harassed when accessing the services they are entitled to. We cannot stand still or take our progress for granted.
"As we look to the future, we must always defend the rights we have secured and do everything we can to enhance them.”
Cabaret Against The Hate Speech helped to organise today's counter demonstration and revealed their reason for gathering online.
A spokesperson said: "We are back once again this time counter protesting against The Scottish Family party.
"The Sandyford clinic is a lifeline for a lot of people in Glasgow/ Scotland for many different reasons. We believe in access to abortion for everyone and trans affirming healthcare is a human right."
The Scottish Family Party posted on Twitter this morning calling for the clinic to be shut down.
They stated: "Bricking up the Sandyford Clinic Demonstrating that this place should be shut down."
Back Off Scotland, who are campaigning for buffer zones around clinics that provide abortion services in Scotland, previously said the SFP's plans were "incredibly worrying".
They added: "To want to remove access to abortion this badly is bad enough - but to want to do this to a clinic that also provides rape crisis services is unspeakable."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers were in attendance at the planned protest on Sandyford Place, Glasgow, on Saturday, 11 March, 2023.
“There were no arrests and all involved have now left the location.”
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