THE woman who has gone viral after calling out anti-abortion protesters outside a Glasgow hospital has called for nearby buffer zones to be extended.
On Wednesday, a handful of activists from the 40 Days for Life group were seen close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where they are set to protest for the next 40 days.
Following the introduction of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act last year, anti-choice protesters are now banned from standing within 200m of a clinic where abortion care is offered.
El Johnstone, who lives nearby, saw the group from her bedroom window before she crossed the road and told the group: “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
The video has garnered more than three million views across social media.
Speaking to The National, Johnstone, who has experience of miscarriage, said she felt overwhelmed at the response but wants to use her newfound platform to highlight the ongoing issue.
She is also calling on people to write to their MSPs and request their support to extend the buffer zone along Shieldhall Road, the main road leading to the hospital.
Johnstone lives on Shieldhall Road, inside the buffer zone, and the protesters are gathered on the opposite side of the road, outside of the zone.
The 35-year-old now plans to block their signs on Sunday with "dance and laughter" with her friends.
"It feels like I've been given this massive responsibility that I didn't necessarily want, but whether I want it or not, it's still there, and I want to do what I can to raise awareness about the situation," Johnstone said.
The group Back Off Scotland, who led the grassroots campaign for the legislation in Scotland, has issued guidance for people to not launch counter-protests in the buffer zones as this is against the law.
Johnstone said as the protesters are outside of the zone, she is able to counteract their actions.
Johnstone told The National: "I'm taking on board all the advice I am getting. I got in touch with Back Off Scotland because I know that they were at the forefront of this, and I don't want to do anything that is detrimental.
"The response I got was that actually where they are is outwith the buffer zone by a matter of metres, so it's really difficult because they're there.
"I don't want to do a counter-protest, all I mean to do is just try to block their signs.
"I want these people to know that they're not wanted, and perhaps just gain a bit more press attention to help urge MSPs to make the decision to expand these buffer zones by a small amount so that they're not on the main road".
Johnstone does not plan to interact with the group and is welcome to other suggestions on how best to handle the ongoing issue outside her home.
The areas suggested to be included into the zone are highlighted in green on the below map.
Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who spearheaded the buffer zones legislation through Parliament, has said the junction mentioned by Johnstone "will need looked into" as she had already received reports of concerns.
She also said the act does allow for the size of zones to be increased "if individual hospitals needed it".
Mackay said: "The introduction of the safe access zone has been successful in reducing the scale of the protests and keeping them at bay, but that doesn't totally remove the ability of the protesters to harass and intimidate people.
"I have seen the video and I certainly wouldn't want protests like that on my doorstep either.
"When I introduced my act, I did it with a provision that would allow the size of the zones to be increased if individual hospitals needed it. Given some of the testimony I have had about the particular junction at Shieldhall Road, this will need looked in to.
"This has been the first test of safe access zones, and we want them to be as effective as possible and to ensure that nobody is being forced to run a gauntlet of graphic banners and placards in order to access healthcare."
She added: "I urge everyone who has been impacted by protests to contact my office directly or the Scottish Government so that we can consider what else we can do going forward and make the case for any extension."
