What happens when the Fertility Control Clinic is undefended? Bullies come out to play.
The Campaign for the Women’s Reproductive Rights (CWRR) has had great success at keeping the Rosary Procession away from the entrance to the Fertility Control Clinic in East Melbourne. For 7 years on the fourth Saturday of the month CWRR had kept the bigots to the other side of the road. The Rosary Procession had not turned up at the clinic since October 2012 due to the presence of CWRR and the mass rally by Melbourne Feminist Action – until yesterday.
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Like cowards and bullies the Rosary Procession varied their regular schedule to march on the third Saturday of the month to avoid CWRR’s regular clinic defence on the fourth Saturday of the month.
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Rather than stay to the south side of Wellington Parade they crossed the road.
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They positioned themselves at the entrance of the Fertility Control Clinic to intimidate patients and their families.
The sight of four men bearing the Virgin Mary on a platform was the sight to confront anyone leaving the clinic.
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They flagrantly ignored the white line set by Melbourne City Council to keep the path clear and intimidated passers by.
During the time they spent in front of the clinic three patients were forced to leave by the rear entrance to avoid them.
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The Rosary Procession left after approximately an hour, but John Forster from 40 Days for Life stayed outside the clinic. Although the 40 Days for Life doesn’t begin until February 13th in his words “It’s never too early to advertise.”
It was the first time in seven years that the Rosary Procession stood on the clinic side of the road. It shows how important it is that the clinic be defended by the prochoice majority. Together we can keep the antichoice minority away from the clinic entrance. When faced with the clinic defence the Rosary Procession has proven they avoid confrontation. Just like a bully.
Join us for the next CWRR Clinic Defence
9:30am – Saturday 26th January
118 Wellington Parade East Melbourne
#OurClinic #NeverGoingBack
Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights 