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THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS have taken to the streets in the centre of London wearing masks as part of the ‘Million Mask March’.
Anti-capitalist protesters are adorning their faces with the Guy Fawkes masks associated with online hacking group Anonymous.
So far this evening there has been a number of minor clashes, with a police car being set on fire.
The procession initially gathered in Parliament Square, before breaking up and setting off to other locations in central London.
Press Association is saying that groups have split off into different factions, some of which have smashed windows on a street in Mayfair.
The Guardian is covering the event in a liveblog and has reported that the protesters had been given a curfew of 9pm.
Parts of central London have been cordoned off due to the March, including Regent Street.
The BBC has reported that some of the group attempted to enter Great George Street, where the Conservative Party HQ is located, but that the street was closed off.
The protesters most recent movement has been into Trafalgar Square where they have been cordoned in by police.
In a tweet about an hour ago, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that conditions of the march have been breached and that arrests are being made for public order offences.
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If you want to protest it, go to the government. Stop harassing women that suffer crisis pregnancies and nurses doing difficult jobs.
Or perhaps just stay at home and accept that the world is going to inevitably move on and leave your blinkered perspective and conservative world view behind.
@Nicky O’Donnell: when pro Aborts protest outside the Maternity hospital they are portrayed as heros despite wanting to end human life. In fact, the Doctor who raised this issue has been photographed participating and interacting with these Abortion protestors.
The double standards and hypocrisy of the media on the issue is disgusting and exceptionally dangerous for democracy. Their portrayal and use of language to describe what happened at the Pro Life vigils last week sets a narrative that sticks in people’s mind, implies things that do not happen. They also have no issue spreading blatant lies and Malicious speculation to suit their agenda.
@eric nelligan: I would have more respect for these “Pro Life” if they spent more time protesting outside the Government for other issues e.g end to homelessness. “Pro Life” is not a term that they should be named. Anti choice or pro forced birth is more appropriate.
@eric nelligan: There’s no double standards, the Pro Choice people outside the maternity hospital were there to cover up disgusting and dishonest posters put up by the extremist ICBR, so women attending the hospital didn’t become traumatised. Very dishonest to say they were protesting.
@Breda Jennings: totally agree with you. And I’d like to add, pro life should also include pro non-human life. I wonder how many of these anti choice people go to greyhound races, eat body parts and drink the breast milk of another species. But wait… it’s only pro life if it suits their agenda.
@eric nelligan: But we’re not talking about behaviour of pro-abortion people, we’re talking about insensitive protesting by anti-abortion people. When some insensitive protesting by pro-abortion people happens outside a hospital, we can have a critical article about that.
@Breda Jennings: maybe they do protest about other things. Do the pro aborts protest about homelessness and other injustices?
@The Poet: to quote yourself “maybe they do protest about other things”
@Nicky O’Donnell: I don’t think so. the world has tried your “unblinkered perspective” and seen that it only leads to death. The U.S. and other countries are now pushing back on abortion. If you took off your blinkers you would see things turning around.
Besides, don’t you believe in Freedom of Speech?
@Breda Jennings: OY! Nothing would satisfy you. You hate them before you know abortion is murder, there is no way of looking at it. You just don’t want to look at it. I get it.
@eric nelligan: you equate abortion with ending human life. This is factually incorrect. What type of language use would you categorise that under?
@The Poet: pro choicers aren’t protesting insensitively outside maternity hospitals, I’m a pro choicer and I would engage in a protest to bring an end to homelessness. Does this answer your question?
I agree but is this all chopper Harris does?
Just rename him minister for abortions. He does f all else for the health service
@Keith ☘️: no matter how much you and others want that moniker to stick its not gonna. Can think of a few other less than complimentary names for him but that isn’t one.
@Keith ☘️: excellent comment and so true…
@Ken Coldrick: thanks Ken
The vast majority support you fixing the Trolley crisis, but Harris seems to ignore this Issue.
@Thefallguy: not a fan of Harris or FG but there is no magic wand and while the issue is only getting worse it was there before he was
@Dave O’Keeffe: He could be in the job 50 years and have an unlimited budget, and he’d still screw it up.
Disagree with abortion and voted no but the people have resoundingly spoken. If you care about life care about these women too many of whom are going through the most traumatic moment of their lives. Protest if you want but not here. Harris’ offices, the Dail, Dept of health – plenty of more appropriate places.
@gm_cmanning: very well put. I voted yes, and encountered some people on the no side who really had no regard for anybody else just their right wing dogma. I wish these people could have the same empathy as you. They have a right to protest, but not in this manner, placing coffins outside hospitals and approaching women going in and out. They’re the most unchristian Christians I’ve ever come across.
Agree or disagree it’s now the law
@John O Reilly: but most likely not for long.
@gm_cmanning: are you suggesting there’s going to be another referendum?
Because that won’t be happening
@Barry: apologies, no I’m not. Suggesting that the right to protest directly outside is gonna disappear
@gm_cmanning: too many altar rail biters still not happy with the majority who voted yes.
@Gus Sheridan: yes I agree loads of religious people in our country are shocked at the crowd who voted yes to killing unborn children call it what it is ,maybe you don’t like the sound of it
@Paddy Dunne: you know whats funny?
Catholics only see a fetus as a baby when it suits them, after all a Catholic hospital has previously argued in court that a fetus is not a child https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/24/fetuses-not-people-catholic-hospital-says-in-court-case/1863013/
@Gus Sheridan: I’m among em tbh (not the rail biter bit, no fan of any of that sky fairy stuff) but the majority have spoken and don’t see em changing their minds
Big deflection from what’s really going. FG tactics. People have a democratic right to protest and free speech so long as they act peacefully and they don’t break the law.
@The Equalizer: targeted harassment is breaking the law
These protesters make me angry. How dare they morally and verbally attack vulnerable people? They should be grateful it’s not them having to make such a heartbreaking decision. And to protest in front of the clinic where other people are going to for other reasons is utterly vile! And YES, there needs to be a protective zone for patients and staff. If these fanatics don’t see reason, then others must be protected from them.
Vast majority of people don’t want abortions been carried out in maternity hospitals you gimp
@Paddy Dunne: Eh, 66.7% of people would disagree with you there.
@Paddy Dunne: considering it’s a very common pregnancy-related procedure to have, and has been for a very long time, a maternity hospital is very much the right place. Or where would you suggest it be done? Should the procedure be 100% removed from maternity hospitals?
@Mirabelle Stonegate: except one is the unavoidable loss of a wanted baby whereas the other is the deliberate disposal of an unwanted consequence. Should a woman who has lost a pregnancy and is gutted have to share the same waiting room as the one who is happy enough to dump her clump of cells.
@Eamonn O Connell: Do you think women all sit around in waiting rooms discussing their medical issues? Do you!?
@Tricia G: have been in waiting room and yes they often do.
@Eamonn O Connell: Not all of them. Not the ones that are dealing with something bloody awful or are freaking out or just want to keep their business private.
Funny how you seem very concerned about women going through issues having to sit in a waiting room with a woman who might be having an abortion but you don’t give a $h!t about those same women having to walk past the vile pictures and comments from the protesters outside.
You’re nothing but a hypocr!te!
@Eamonn O Connell: I absolutely do think they should share the same waiting room. They’re there for the same procedure, even if it’s different reasons. Unless someone says why exactly they are having it done, there’s no way to know. It might not even be pregnancy related as the same procedure can be used for biopsies or treatment of other conditions.
For all anyone knows, a woman is there to have an abortion before she has to have her entire uterus removed. Should someone like that really be shamed and ostracized? Or what about someone that has to choose between abortion and homelessness? I’m currently in a hostel.. if I was pregnant, I’d be out on the streets because you can’t have a baby in a hostel. Well, you can, but only the ones that house a lot of drunks or druggies.. I’m in one that doesn’t allow that sort, but also wouldn’t allow a baby long-term. (Honestly, am very glad not to be in any way interested in sex).
@Mirabelle Stonegate: how is it the same procedure. One is elective dumping of a pregnancy the other is an uncontrolled loss of a pregnancy where the medical staff will do everything possible to prevent it Remember the buzzword …….. choice ! Some have a choice whether to keep the pregnancy and some sadly don’t. The homeless thing is just a red herring. If you don’t want a baby don’t get pregnant. Apparently contraception is 99% effective
@Eamonn O Connell: 99% isn’t 100%. And many things can reduce effectiveness.
And the exact same procedure, known as a d&c, is used for removing tissue from the uterus in many circumstances, including both a surgical abortion and a miscarriage. The same procedure is also used in the treatment of endometriosis. So, if you want this procedure removed from maternity hospitals, think how that effects women. This is one of the most common female procedures available.
And when you say “don’t get pregnant” you do realise that i5 isn’t always a choice, right? My birth control runs out in the next month or so. Once that happens… I’m stuck. I can’t afford the €300+ for replacement. And you might say “don’t have sex”.. that’s all well and good except that I’ve been sexually assaulted a number of times since being homeless, and I’ve been warned by the guards that if I attack an abuser then I am in the wrong.., so next time I’m assaulted, I just have to accept it. As a 32yo virgin asexual, this is something that utterly terrifies me. And I will know that if I’m assaulted and end up pregnant as a result, it will be 100% my fault for existing. I mean, I’m clearly the one causing these assaults on myself, like that time I was groped and assaulted by a drunk in a McDonald’s. A guard who saw it happened told me that it was my fault for leading the guy on… I was sitting in a corner, on my own, around 9am, reading a book, wearing jeans, runners and a hoodie.. apparently though, this leads men on and says that I’m on the prowl for sex…
@Mirabelle Stonegate: not suggesting a d&c be removed from maternity hospitals at all but elective abortions yes, by the way not all difficulties result in a d&c. Some result in babies. And are you trying to suggest that the vast majority of abortions carried out are as a result of failed contraception. You’re naive if you are
Big deflection from what’s really going. FG tactics. People have a democratic right to protect and free speech so long as they act peacefully and they don’t break the law.
@The Equalizer: sure, nothing wrong with being peaceful. However, if the reports are true that they’re shoving plastic fetus’ at people, and asking if they’re going in to commit murder.. that ain’t peaceful. That’s harassment.
@The Equalizer: there’s limits to that right and looks like another one will be added
They should be arrested for obstruction and intimidation of vulnerable women.
It’s okay to protest outside hospitals if one follows a certain narrative and has a very loose definition of the term ‘medical procedure’..
https://gript.ie/accusations-hypocrisy-doctor-pictured-abortion-campaigners-hospital-demonstration/
@ᎶᗩᒪᒪᎬᖇᎽ & ᗰᑌsᎬᑌᗰ ᑭᖇO-ᒪᎥᖴᎬ sᏆᗩᖴᖴ Ꭵᑎ IᖇᎬᒪᗩᑎᗪ: isn’t Gript a satirical news site.
@Keelan O’neill: It’s certainly not a reputable one anyway.
What stuns me if the idiocy of the Anti-Choice Brigade and their constant support of people like John McGuirk.
Gript even has a “Donate” button. Then you’ve the failed politician and “hunger striker” Tim Jackson. Looks like he’s jumped on the Gript bandwagon, probably because he knows he doesn’t have a CHANCE to ever be elected.
@Keelan O’neill: It is a genuine site which covers issues factually.
@Keelan O’neill:
Hi Keelan. To dispense with the ambiguity of context, I’ve hotlinked to 2 images directly. I’m not great on Judæo Christian mythology, so what I assume to be ‘angels’ could just as easily be ‘harpies’. Angels are generally portrayed as benign to humans (‘Guardian Angels’ etc.), so I imagine they’re most likely ‘harpies’?
https://cdn-01.independent.ie/incoming/article36949168.ece/6fd0a/AUTOCROP/w1125/Angels.jpg
Put aside the stated issue.The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 provides for such problems. All that’s required is a Garda presence at such protests. They already have all the powers they need and people have both right to assembly and right to protest.
The minister of permanently looking dazed and bewildered. The health service is in tatters. If he could jump on the other issues as quickly as he can on this we would all be better off. As for the protesters. Fix your own house before you you start interfering with others
I wonder how a woman who is heading into a hospital feels if she is in difficulties with a wanted pregnancy and suddenly realised that the auld shite that the doctor is spouting is just that, cos in half an hour he or she could be performing an abortion on a perfectly healthy pregnancy just cos it doesn’t suit the lifestyle Tis hypocrisy to pretend ye care about the poor women going in with a problem pregnancy when many women beside them in the waiting room are just there to get rid of an unwanted consequence of carelessness
@Eamonn O Connell: Is this what you really actually think is going through a woman’s head when faced with a serious issue during pregnancy?
It is remarkable to me how people that can’t even get pregnant believe they have some all seeing insight into those that can’s mind.
The arrogance of you to think you have a CLUE what a woman facing a potential threat to a wanted pregnancy would be factoring in when talking to the one person that could possibly help!
Is it any wonder those with your beliefs lost the public’s confidence so dramatically during the referendum, everyone can see you lot don’t have a clue!
@Eamonn O Connell: I’m sure if you were talking to your GP about some potential health issue you’re really thinking about all the people that GP may have given the abortion pill to. (because that’s how the majority of abortions happen in Ireland. Pill from doctor, abortion triggered at home not in a hospital).
In fact I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess you wouldn’t give a crap as long as they can help YOU deal with your problem. Like every other person on the planet!
@Eamonn O Connell: a nice cozy blinkered view there Eamonn. You’re not wondering at all, you’re just fitting it into your own narrative. Walk a mile in someone elses shoes and introduce yourself to a whole new world.
@Tricia G: the arrogance of you to assume I don’t have a clue. We have experienced that loss on several occasions and I have dealt with the aftermath and devastation too and yes it has been asked how someone could just dump something so precious when we were struggling
@marshall staxx: I have been in them shoes. Have you ?
@Eamonn O Connell: Are you genuinely telling me that you were looking around at other women trying to determine why they were there while you were going through such a horrible event?
Were you looking at your doctor trying to determine whether they’d ever been involved in an abortion?
@Eamonn O Connell: You’re very concerned about women going through issues having to sit in a waiting room with another woman who just might be having an abortion but you don’t give a $h!t about those same women having to walk past the vile pictures and comments from the protesters outside.
Why is that I wonder……..
@Tricia G: no but it was said afterwards and I quite understand it too. Perhaps the two procedures should be separated to be considerate to all parties
@Tricia G: where did I say I agreed with the vile pictures Tricia?? I’ve no issues with protest but it cannot attack people. It’s also funny how you have no bother with terminating a pregnancy but are all concerned about the people who lose one
@Eamonn O Connell:That’s the difference between you and I.
My first and foremost focus is the the woman suffering. You’re the one that’s broken them out into groups. Those that deserve your sympathy versus those that don’t.
My priority will also be the woman. Regardless of their decisions.
@Tricia G: actually my concern is the women and there is a very distinct difference one has no choice in the matter and is losing something which she values. The other is just getting rid of an unwanted consequence so why should both services be provided in the same place. Perhaps it’s not me who is the hypocrite
@Eamonn O Connell: I absolutely agree! As someone who has suffered several miscarriages through no fault of my own, the last thing I want is to be treated in the same place where I know others are there to end the life of their unborn child. The lack of respect for human life is baffling.
@Eamonn O Connell: There is literally no valid reason why you would treat women all requiring access to medical profesionals in separate places.
It is surely just as if not MORE traumatic for a woman losing a wanted pregnancy to sit in a waiting room surrounded by obviously pregnant women that are not at risk of losing their wanted pregnancy?
That must be a very difficult thing to deal with. And again those women, ALL those women have my empathy.
@Tricia G: why would it be any more traumatic to sit in a room with people who want their babies than don’t. It’s shit either way but to say you have empathy for all their women is strange. The people going for an elective abortion are making a choice for themselves and that’s what the abortion referendum was all about. The woman suffering a miscarriage or other problems don’t have that choice but let’s lump em all in the same boat
FOCUS! Trolly crisis worst it has ever been
Overwhelming numbers of population are against the use of trolleys in hospital for patients but Simon you still persist in increasing the record for the numbers on a trolley waiting for a bed….on a separate note why is the winter flu jab only administered in the winter. why not administer it in summer months so people’s immunity system will be strong enough to fight flu in winter as all I ever see is my mother getting flu jab in winter and a couple of days later she is coughing and doc says nothing I can do just take over counter cough med as you have the flu……she was fine until she took the jab. Me I never get flu jab and sail through winter without a cold……..
@Martin Smith: Only time I got the flu vaccination, I nearly died with flu. My friend who got it this year is in bed for past 5 days with flu.
We had a referendum on this issue . We had the opportunity to vote on it . Abortion is now legal in this country , like it or not . We are supposed to be a democratic society so for those who did not get the result they wanted ….. suck it up ! No one is being dragged kicking and screaming to have an abortion . It is a personal choice . Protests outside hospitals will not change the outcome of the referendum nor should it . Look after your own lives and leave others make their own personal decisions on their lives . The Irish people are so over being guilted into decisions by other people who think they know better than the people involved . Move on and start doing something constructive like protesting the lack of an adequate heath care system .
He’s a bit like John Delaney from the side
Has he a sheepskin coat like
Minister of Deaths
A lot of people are getting cut up over this. They should be allowed get on with their Lives..
Where was the research done and who did it?
have your say