When I visited the BPAS clinic in Bournemouth back in October I was not able to speak with a protester. However, in order to show both sides of the story I needed to hear from a pro-lifer to get their take on whether or not they are harassing and intimidating staff.
So I went back to the Bournemouth clinic to see if I could speak with any protesters. Upon my approach to the clinic I saw that there were a couple ladies standing near the road opposite the clinic holding leaflets.
I politely approached the women wishing to speak with them about why the choose to stand and protest/pray. Initially no-one would speak to me as they said they have spoken to journalists before who twisted what they said and made them out as "bad people".
After further explaining why I was there, I was able to speak with one of the ladies who wished to remain anonymous.
It was interesting to hear her version of events which painted a very different picture to what the staff members had described to me a couple weeks before.
The protester explained that she doesn't understand how praying can be viewed as harassment or intimidation and said that she has never seen anyone make remarks towards staff members.
She said that she comes to hand out leaflets and to pray for the women and staff at the abortion clinic in hope that they will change their mind and stop what they are doing.
I asked what she thought about buffer zones being put around clinics and she was quick to express her feelings by saying:
"Buffer zones prohibit free speech".
Speaking with this lady gave me more insight into the opposite side of the pro-life vs pro-choice debate. It made me think more as to whether or not protesters should be allowed to stand directly outside abortion clinics.
The argument of free speech is the main driving factor which allows protesters to gather outside clinics, however where should the line between expression and intimidation be drawn?
You can hear more from this protester in my finish documentary coming soon.
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