MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics

[Justanatheist]

A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics has been proposed by Labour MP Rupa Huq.

Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.

Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.

The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, five clinics across the country have been targeted by protests.

MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

 

[Spirit of Light]

A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics has been proposed by Labour MP Rupa Huq.

Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.

Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.

The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, five clinics across the country have been targeted by protests.

MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

The question for me is, should people deny others the options of doing an abortion, just because one hold a different view of it one self?
What happens when a pro life person hold a view on something else that can be put to question? Should those people be allowed to deny the pro lifer their rights when person do something that the abortionists feel is wrong?

Not easy to answer good on this.

 

[Justanatheist]

The question for me is, should people deny others the options of doing an abortion, just because one hold a different view of it one self?
What happens when a pro life person hold a view on something else that can be put to question? Should those people be allowed to deny the pro lifer their rights when person do something that the abortionists feel is wrong?

Not easy to answer good on this.

As you say a difficult one to answer, with regard to this bill I think a 100m exclusion zone strikes a good balance between free speech and a woman's right to privacy at a very difficult time.

 

[McBell]

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters...

I fail to see how.
They are not being told they are not allowed to protest.
They are being told they are not allowed to protest within 100 meters of the Marie Stopes centre.

 

[Justanatheist]

What happens when a pro life person hold a view on something else that can be put to question? Should those people be allowed to deny the pro lifer their rights when person do something that the abortionists feel is wrong?

What rights are the anti abortionists being denied?

 

[Justanatheist]

I fail to see how.
They are not being told they are not allowed to protest.
They are being told they are not allowed to protest within 100 meters of the Marie Stopes centre.

I am nervous on any restrictions on peaceful protest.

 

[McBell]

I am nervous on any restrictions on peaceful protest.

Define "peaceful"

Personally, I do not find harassment of others as peaceful...

It is like those {insert long string of forum banning explicits here} idiots who block roads during their "peaceful" protest.

 

[McBell]

What rights are the anti abortionists being denied?

Apparently they think they have the right to harass anyone enter an abortion clinic.
but sadly for them, the MP apparently disagrees.

 

[Justanatheist]

Define "peaceful"

Personally, I do not find harassment of others as peaceful...

It is like those {insert long string of forum banning explicits here} idiots who block roads during their "peaceful" protest.

I tend to agree with you, but could you not say all protest is harassment to a degree. Let me make it clear I am against anti abortionists groups. This is why it is a difficult position for free speech advocates.

 

[McBell]

I tend to agree with you, but could you not say all protest is harassment to a degree.

Yes, you could.
Of course, if you do, no protest can ever be "peaceful", right?

Let me make it clear I am against anti abortionists groups. This is why it is a difficult position for free speech advocates.

I fail to see how your being against anti-abortionist groups make it difficult for free speech advocates.

 

[Justanatheist]

Yes, you could.
Of course, if you do, no protest can ever be "peaceful", right?


I fail to see how your being against anti-abortionist groups make it difficult for free speech advocates.

Because I disagree with everything they say, but defend their right to say it, it is easy to support free speech when you do not hate what they say.

 

[McBell]

Because I disagree with everything they say, but defend their right to say it, it is easy to support free speech when you do not hate what they say.

Ah...
I understand now.

 

[Nimos]

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

Don't think there is anything wrong with it from a perspective of free speech.

Free speech doesn't overrule everything else, otherwise shouldn't people be allowed to enter private properties as well and protest. Enter hospitals in the middle of operations etc.

Free speech gives you the right to express your view on a matter without being punished for it, it doesn't allow you to directly harass other people or the right to not obey the law.

 

[Altfish]

A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics has been proposed by Labour MP Rupa Huq.

Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.

Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.

The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, five clinics across the country have been targeted by protests.

MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

Hopefully this law will be passed

 

[exchemist]

A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics has been proposed by Labour MP Rupa Huq.

Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.

Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.

The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, five clinics across the country have been targeted by protests.

MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

People are entitled to seek, and to provide, legally permitted medical treatment in privacy and without being harassed.

If these people want to protest, they should protest to the legislators that passed the relevant law, not intimidate the doctors and their patients. They are free to do that.

This is not a free speech issue in any way. It is a harassment issue.

 

[exchemist]

Hopefully this law will be passed

I don't see why we need yet another law to do this. Surely the police have powers already to move the protesters on, don't they?

In general, I feel we spend far too much time adding yet more laws to the statute book and far too little time enforcing properly the ones we already have. Passing laws makes MPs feel virtuous, but actually what makes a difference is enforcement.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

Mitch Daniels, former governor of Indiana and Pence's predecessor, was the first governor in America to tell Westboro Baptist Church the cannot protest anywhere near a funeral, proceedings, burial, none of it. They still can protest, but very far away to be entirely out of sight and heating range for those mourning.
Even here it was considered a very good compromise, as both parties had their rights respected in the end. WBC just ended up not doing much there because their offensive garbage wasn't throwing petro on a fire, and they couldn't sue because they were still allowed to protest.

 

[Altfish]

I don't see why we need yet another law to do this. Surely the police have powers already to move the protesters on, don't they?

In general, I feel we spend far too much time adding yet more laws to the statute book and far too little time enforcing properly the ones we already have. Passing laws makes MPs feel virtuous, but actually what makes a difference is enforcement.

The protests will not be banned, it is about distance and intimidation

 

[SomeRandom]

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

Not really. Free speech “extremists” excuse horrible harassment under the guise of the obviously important protection of “free speech.”
Telling people to move down the road a bit is not in any way shape or form a violation of free speech. Apparently asking people to respect other’s privacy and demonstrate a tiny bit of polite decorum does. Go figure. Pfft. Snowflakes

 

[Heyo]

This is a difficult one for free speech supporters, normally a counter protest would do the job but that is likely to draw more unwanted attention. Thoughts?

You don't have to do a direct counter protest at the same site. What about a protest before churches and offering help to people to get rid of their stupid superstition?