Lambeth council passes emergency motion supporting women’s right to abortion
Lambeth councillors have passed an emergency motion in support of abortion rights.
The motion comes in response to fears in the local community that decisions in the USA are emboldening those who would protest and harass women outside of abortion clinics in the UK.
The US Supreme Court recently overturned a 1973 court decision that protected women’s rights, allowing States to ban abortions.
The Lambeth council motion, which was submitted by the Labour Group on behalf of all parties represented in the council chamber, commits the council to continuing to support the delivery of sexual and reproductive care in the borough, ensuring that women are able to safely access abortions.
Councillors have also called on the Home Secretary to provide information on how the Government is taking action to ensure that hostility, harassment, and unreasonable protest are prevented outside abortion clinics.
The motion also calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to decriminalise abortion in England, Scotland, and Wales as it is still officially deemed a criminal act under the 1967 Abortion Act.
Lambeth’s Violence Against Women and Girls Champion, Cllr Henna Shah, said: “The decision made in the US has worldwide ramifications.
“It is vital that we re-affirm our commitment to reproductive rights and take action to strengthen them where we can.
“I am proud of the work Lambeth council is already doing, enabling people to report harassment outside our clinics online, supporting marginalised communities to access the reproductive healthcare they deserve, and engaging with Government on telemedical services and the decriminalisation of abortion.
“We will continue to work with our clinics in Lambeth to protect staff and patients from harassment and unreasonable protest.”
Pictured top: Demonstrators gather outside the United States embassy in Vauxhall last month to protest against the decision to scrap constitutional right to abortion (Picture: PA)
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