Protesters from the American pro-life group have begun a “40 days for lent” protest in Glasgow.
The organisation behind the event is “40 days for life” – a organisation founded in Texas. According to their website, their main objectives are to “end abortion” and “defund planned parenthood.”
The demonstration started on Wednesday 5th March and is planned to last until Sunday 13th April, with protesters gathering on Shieldhall Road, just 200 metres from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Officially described as a “silent vigil”, some protesters were heard reciting religious hymns and verses on Saturday 8th March.
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zone Scotland) bill, which came into effect in September last year. The legislation was proposed by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, with support from the student-led campaign “Back-off Scotland”
The law prevents protestors from demonstrating inside a buffer zone of 200 metres from a hospital. The legislation came as a response to years of complaints from both patients and healthcare workers about harassment and intimidation outside healthcare facilities.
In February 2025, one woman was arrested outside Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for crossing into the buffer zone. Since the beginning of their protest this month, demonstrators have abided by the restrictions.
Despite their presence being legal, the protests continue to spark a heated reaction from some. On Saturday March 8th, both pedestrians and drivers were seen shouting at the protestors in opposition, with one calling their protest “disgusting.”
The issue has received increased attention in Scotland in the aftermath of U.S Vice President, J.D Vances’ comments that: “The Scottish Government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called Safe Access Zones, warning them that even private prayer within their homes may amount to breaking the law.” Vance’s claim has since been confirmed as false.
The protests have sparked a wider debate about whether the current zones should be extended further, with Gillian Makay MSP commenting that the zones could be amended if patients continue to be harassed by activists.
Currently, Shieldhall Road is the main route to the hospital and could be used by those seeking abortion care.
With over a month left of the protest, the debate on how to balance free-speech with patient concerns continues, putting the Scottish Government’s legislation to the test.
