Today three judges of the Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case of an abortion clinic safe zone being challenged in court.
In April 2018, Ealing councilors unanimously passed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), creating a buffer zone that prevented pro-life demonstrators from gathering within 100 meters of the Marie Stopes clinic.
The buffer zone was the first of its kind to be approved in the United Kingdom.
The order of the Ealing Council prohibited protesting “with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means. This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling”.
The borough council was first motivated to consider the buffer zone due to reports of “intimidation, harassment and distress” for patients of the clinic.
A challenge to the PSPO was filed in the High Court, claiming that the decision by the Ealing Council infringed on the right to protest and freedom of expression guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The High Court ruled last year that the ban did interfere with the rights of protestors, but the borough council had the right to institute the safe zone.
In a press release from January when the Court announced it had granted a hearing of the appeal, Alina Dulgheriu, who originally filed the challenge said, “Ealing Council could have taken action in a way that would have protected women and safeguarded the essential, life-saving help offered at the gate. Instead they criminalised charity and attempted to remove dedicated and caring individuals from public space without justification.”
“I cannot imagine a society where a simple offer of help to a woman who might want to keep her child is seen as a criminal offence. I refuse to accept that women should be denied the opportunity to receive help where they want to keep their child.”
A spokeswoman for the Be Here for Me campaign also said, “To forbid philanthropic humanitarian activity which has been of such demonstrable benefit to so many is a ruthless betrayal of vulnerable women and turns upside down the much touted axioms of ‘choice’ and freedom.”
Abortion clinic buffer zones have been considered broadly in the past, but last September Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would not pursue nationwide safe zones.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.