Last week, Poland's top court ruling outlawed nearly all abortions.
Even before the latest news, Poland already had some of the EU's strictest abortion laws, allowing a termination only in cases of rape or incest, serious threat to the pregnant person's health or severe foetal defects. Now, the Constitutional Tribunal - dominated by allies of the government and following a far-right campaign - has removed the third exception, accounting for 98% of all legal terminations. The ruling could force women to give birth to children with no chance of survival, or risk their lives seeking unsafe illegal abortions.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Polish cities and towns are now out in the streets, protesting against the decision and demanding the right to choose. Solidarity actions led by Polish migrants are also taking place in the UK and across Europe.
On Saturday, we joined over a thousand people at a spontaneous protest in front of the Polish Embassy in London. Please follow Razem London for updates about future demos planned in the capital.
Meanwhile, protests are being planned in other cities:
Manchester - 51 Portland Street, tomorrow 5pm. Facebook event here.
Aberdeen - Marischal College, tomorrow, 5:30pm. Event here.
Brighton - West Pier, tomorrow, 7pm. Event here.
Edinburgh - Scottish Parliament, Thursday 5pm. Event here.
York - York Minster, Thursday 6pm. Event here.
Kirkcaldy - Adam Smith Theatre, Friday 6pm. Event here.
Belfast - City Hall, Saturday, 12 noon. Event here.
Bristol - Cheltenham Rd, Sunday, 3:30pm. Event here.
Birmingham - City Centre, Sunday, 4pm. Event here.
No comments:
Post a Comment