PRO-ABORTION campaigners across Scotland have reacted to the news that multiple states in the US have passed measures which will enshrine the right to abortion.
This follows the Roe v Wade ruling in the Supreme Court earlier this year which sought to deny millions of women the right to abortions.
On Wednesday, amid the midterm elections, there were pro-choice victories in Vermont, Michigan and California which all now have the right to abortion in their constitution.
Kentucky has also rejected a constitutional amendment that would have said there was no right to abortion.
Over the past year in Scotland, there have been numerous anti-abortion protests outside clinics whilst an American anti-abortion campaigner also labelled Nicola Sturgeon a “bully” and a “bigot”.
Gillian Mackay (below), the Scottish Green MSP who introduced a bill which would see a 150-metre radius implemented around clinics offering abortion services, said it was good news but that “the threat should not be there in the first place”.
She told The National: “I am very glad that these states are taking action, but the threat should not be there in the first place.
“Abortion rights are human rights and I want them to be protected and enshrined for everyone in all parts of the US and around the world.
“The recent attacks that we have seen on reproductive rights in the US and elsewhere have been utterly shameful, and underline that they can never be taken for granted.”
In Michigan, the state will now no longer be beholden to the 1931 abortion ban that was on its books.
Mackay has previously said that Scotland will have the most robust legislation on buffer zones in the UK with anti-abortion groups promising to come forward with a legal challenge on any buffer zone bill Holyrood tried to implement.
Following the news, Back Off Scotland, a group which aims to end clinic harassment, has said there is “still work to be done” but that this news marks a step forward.
Speaking to The National, co-founder and director Lucy Grieve said: “The repeal of Roe v Wade earlier this year had disastrous impacts on those seeking basic reproductive healthcare in the US.
“Whilst there is a deeply unsettling anti-abortion precedent looming over the US, it’s great to see places like California and Michigan enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitution.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but the movement on this from so many states over these midterm elections has shown the path we must take to ensure that all of those who need an abortion can access them safely, locally and legally.”
Elsewhere, in a livestream posted to their Twitter last night, the Scottish Family Party said they wanted to plan more protests outside the Sandyford Clinic.
Richard Lucas said, “we need to do that” to which party campaigner Niall Fraser replied: “It has to be done, Richard.”
Yesterday the Scottish Family Party said they will be protesting the Sandyford clinic. We need buffer zones. We need them yesterday. pic.twitter.com/bfrNvxcrlU
— Gemma Clark 🇪🇺🌱she/her (@Gemma_clark14) November 9, 2022
In Glasgow, Sandyford has been targeted by anti-abortion campaigners as well as the Queen Elizabeth hospital.
The First Minister has also already convened two summits on abortion rights.
Also speaking to The National, Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “It’s encouraging to see that a number of US sates, including Michigan, have voted to protect the fundamental human right to abortion care within their state constitutions.
“Whilst this is positive news for many and a clear step in the right direction, it is important to note that abortion remains banned in the majority of the US and it remains a terrifying time for many women.
“We cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to abortion rights. I was grateful to attend Scotland’s abortion summit earlier this year to voice concerns to the First Minister.
“Anti-choice activity has become prevalent in Scotland, leaving clinic users vulnerable to intimidation and harassment.
“I look forward to supporting Gillian Mackay’s bill for safe access zones to eradicate anti-choice intimidation and protect our reproductive right here in Scotland.”
