Anti-abortion "conspiracy" groups are rife in Sheffield
Councillors were asked how they would deal with “retraumatising displays of harassment and disinformation” from anti-abortion campaigners
Sheffield City Council have been demanded to act on “American, conspiracy-esq” anti-abortion displays outside hospitals and in the city centre.
Campaigner Charlotte Mead asked councillors at a meeting on Wednesday (September 23) how they are planning to deal with “harassing the public regarding women accessing healthcare”.
She said: “The last four years has seen increased activity from anti-abortion and anti-choice organisations in Sheffield, with 40 Days for Life, an American anti-abortion group, protesting during Lent just outside the buffer zone at Royal Hallamshire Hospital."
Safe access buffer zones of 150 metres around abortion clinics were introduced by the previous Labour government and came into effect in October 2024.
They are intended to safeguard women accessing vital healthcare by making it illegal for anyone to do anything that "intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services."
However, Ms Mead said that displays are taking place just outside the 150 meter protected radius.
She said: “This year the Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBRUK) an anti-abortion group also originating from the US, has started targeting Sheffield, setting up stalls on Fargate on numerous Saturdays.
“They bring with them huge displays showing fetuses, handing out leaflets with graphic abortion imagery, all designed to cause distress.”
She went on to explain how CBRUK campaigners are known for spreading disinformation.
“The group has previously compared the Nazi genocide and lynching victims to abortions.
“The group has also linked abortion to Satanism with their leader stating that reproductive rights progress is actually the result of Satanic machinations.
“They have also made claims connecting to politics and government, stating that this is to increase the devil’s power and impose an anti-Christian agenda on society.
“Their presence has caused trauma to many and amounts to harassment under the law.”
Councillor Maleiki Haybe, chair of the adult health and social care policy committee, thanked Ms Mead for bringing this to the council’s attention.
He said: “Women have the right to choose to access healthcare safely with dignity and without intimidation, if we truly call Sheffield a ‘city of sanctuary’.
“Often these groups ask people to examine their conscience, but have you examined your own actions?
"How dare you use the suffering of people who were enslaved or murdered in the holocaust to shame women accessing healthcare. These divisive tactics have no place in Sheffield."
Coun Haybe also suggested there is a wider question about “imported, American, conspiracy-esq” beliefs becoming more common.
He said each councillor should “be wary of this and challenge this,” suggesting if they do not oppose it, views like these could end up in the chamber.
He promised to meet with campaigners and write to Sheffield MPs and Green MPs about whether existing buffer zones provide sufficient protection, and what more is needed.
His written statement states: "The council does not have a general power to prohibit demonstrations or public campaigning simply because the views expressed are controversial, unpopular or offensive.
It adds: "Where activities are taking place outside the safe access zone, it would not constitute an offence."
However, Coun Haybe said his personal belief was that sitting directly outside a buffer zone “should be a crime.”