Pregnant women picketed

Press, 10 March 1984, Page 29

Pregnant women picketed

PA Auckland Pregnant young women arriving with their mothers at Auckland’s Epsom Day Hospital have been upset by approaches from an antiabortion picket group outside. Hospital sources said that the young girls, who legally qualify for abortions, were seriously distressed by questions from the protesters. But the organiser of the

picket, a Bible College student, Mr Brian Neeson, said that the women were not being harassed. The group has demonstrated outside the clinic since February 21. Some wave placards, while one person carries a doll tied to a crucifix. Mr Neeson claimed that one of the group was assaulted by a guard at the complaint had been

laid with police, he said. Two to six patients had been approached each day. Some were very confused, but others had been “hardened against” the group by warnings from clinic staff, he said.

“No doubt our protest is successful. We have seen patients drive up and then drive away again when they see us,” Mr Neeson said.