Throughout Lent, Christian anti-choice groups are running a ‘40 days for life’ campaign. Supporters believe that all abortions should be prevented, regardless of the circumstances of the pregnancy. In Brighton they have targeted Wistons clinic, on Dyke Road, run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. They stand at the entrance clutching plastic foetuses, and hand out anti-abortion leaflets. The clinic is also regularly targeted by protesters from Worthing-based group Abort67, which wants to repeal the 1967 Abortion Act. The directors of this group have been arrested on several occasions and charged with public order offences for displaying graphic 7ft x 5ft images of aborted foetuses.

BPAS said the campaign was part of a surge in protests against its service. “We seem to have more regular protests now, larger protests. We’ve got a very big clinic in Brighton where there is quite an aggressive protest with very aggressive banners being displayed twice a week,” its spokeswoman said.

In response, concerned residents have formed a group called Brighton Pro-Choice to raise awareness in the community. A petition to stop Abort67 has already attracted nearly 1,000 signatures and on International Women’s Day they ran a stall in Churchill Square. They have been overwhelmed by support from local residents, parents and students who find Abort67’s tactics distressing and gratuitous. They are not alone. Ward councillors Mike Jones and Amy Kennedy have also expressed concerns.

Another local group, the Brighton Feminist Collective, has launched a ’40 days for treats’ campaign. The treats include baked goods and ‘thank you’ cards, which are delivered daily to grateful staff and clients at Wistons.

You can get in touch with these groups through their websites:

Brighton Pro-Choice: brightonprochoice.wordpress.com

Brighton Feminist Collective: brightonfeministcollective.org.uk

Carolynne Henshaw