An anti-abortion group plan is holding a 40 day “vigil” near the Royal Hallamshire Hospital from 5 March to 13 April as new buffer laws prohibit demonstrations directly outside the building.
The vigil is currently taking place on the junction of Upper Hanover Street and Glossop Road outside of hospital grounds to abide by the law.
Rachel Wood organiser of the Sheffield vigils said that the group are going to pray near Hallamshire hospital’s sexual health centre to ‘spread awareness’.
Mrs Wood said: “We are pro woman and pro baby.”
The campaign – 40 Days for Life – is a global campaign starting out in America with groups organising vigils. The group, describes their campaign as ’40-day, non-stop, round the clock prayer vigil’.
Mrs Wood claimed the organisation has ‘signed a statement of peace’. Pledging to abide by the law, staying out of safe access zones and buffer zones.
This movement comes after a law passed in October 2024 that bans anti-abortion activists from protesting within 150 meters of abortion clinics, under the Public Order Act in 2023 after numerous accounts of harassment, creating safe experiences for women.
Sheffield is one of the many cities the activist group has held vigils, including Oxford, Liverpool and Edinburgh. With 12,358 local campaigns globally and an outreach to 63 countries.
Chairman of the nearby University of Sheffield’s feminist society Riana Zamhadi said: “Because of the strength of the student community these messages won’t cause a ripple effect.”
One resident of the area, who asked to remain anonymous said: “Everyone should be entitled to their own opinion, if it’s not imposed on others.”
She said she felt it was not ethical for women to feel unsafe while undergoing such a difficult experience.
When asked about the scheduled protests an 18-year-old university student – who preferred not to be named – said: “It’s disheartening, women in less economically stable situations are being victimised.
“Buffer zones make it more peaceful but it’s imposing their opinion on other people.”
Both women decided to remain anonymous due to concern over receiving ‘hate’ on social media.
During previous vigils The Star in 2024 reported campaigners were met with around 20 pro-choice demonstrators who arrived at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital on 8 of March.
