The anti-abortion campaign 40 days for life officially started in Edinburgh on the 14 February.
This campaign consists of 40-days, non-stop, round-the-clock peaceful prayer vigil outside abortion facilities.
According to the official 40 days for life website, the purpose is to give “a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion.”
40 days for life is a Texan movement founded in 2004 by members of the Brazos Valley Coalition for Life.
Originally from the US, the organisation quickly expanded their network and became a world-wide pro-life movement, implemented in 1000 cities and 64 countries.
In Scotland, 40 days for life protests are scheduled to happen in front of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sandyford Clinic, Edinburgh Chalmers Street Clinic and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
This comes after the Safe Access to Abortion Services (Scotland) Bill was proposed in October 2023 by Green MSP Gillian Mackay, following campaigns groups’ militation in favour of harassment free access to abortion services.
If the bill is approved, it will create 200 meter safe access zones around “all places providing abortion services in Scotland.”
Such zones have already been set up in Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
The university organisation Sex? On Campus! told The Student that they refer to reproductive healthcare as being “an utmost priority” and denounce the “damaging” aspect of pro-life campaigns like this, often leading to “panic and emotional distraught” for the patients and the staff.
Sex? On Campus! campaign leader Kirsten Hay explained that :
“The peaceful vigils that they [40 days for life] claim to be having tend to be quite intimidating and drive some patients away, which is horrific.
“Anything the government is able to do to help abortion care be as accessible as possible is a step in the right direction.”
The university “staunchly pro-choice” organisation fundamentally supports the Bill and makes a point of offering support and educational material during the current vigil period.
The Edinburgh branch of ’40 days for life’ has been approached for a comment.
Image via Lucy Frewin