Thursday 28 March marked the most recent stop on the SPUC Scotland Right Side Tour - this time in Kilwinning. We were very grateful to see so many faces, familiar and new, in attendance. This time, Margaret Akers (Campaign Research Officer) was joined by Michael Robinson (Director of Campaigns and Communications) in giving the tour presentations. Both presentations were followed by lively and engaging questions and answers!

We hope that all those who came were inspired to join in the fight against abortion decriminalisation. If you'd like to host a stop on the Right Side tour in your town, contact Margaret: margaret@spucscotland.org / 0141 221 2094. 

On Saturday, we hosted another stop on our RIGHT SIDE Tour, this time in Glasgow! It was our first Saturday event (and in the morning no less), so we were unsure of what the turnout would be! We were very pleased to see so many come out on the weekend and in the bad weather to hear about the campaign to decriminalise abortion.

Margaret gave her presentation on decriminalisation and recent developments in the campaign. There was a break, as some went to Mass, and we were unsure how many would come back. Most attendees came back to the Hall for a fantastic Q&A session, with questions relating to disability, abortion pills, and abortion in Northern Ireland. It was a productive conversation and we hope those in attendance were inspired to make their voices heard: to be informed, get involved, and spread the word!

Thank you to the St. Aloysius Public Life Group for hosting this event.

The RIGHT SIDE Tour stopped in Stirling last night - and what an important time to talk! With recent developments in Westminster, learning about the threat of decriminalisation is more important now than ever! 

There was a great turn-out - and people were glad to be learning about all of the recent steps politicians and campaigners have taken towards decriminalising abortion. By the end of the evening, we hope that people were inspired to make their voice heard and share their thoughts with family, colleagues, AND politicians.
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Our next stop is on Saturday 3 November at the Ogilvie Centre in Glasgow! We hope to see some more of you there!

We had another great stop on the RIGHT SIDE Tour yesterday evening! Despite the rain, people came out to learn about our campaign against the decriminalisation of abortion. Attendees discussed running for office, attending party conferences, and other ways they can be effectively involved in fighting back against the culture of abortion. We hope that everyone will be inspired to stand up and let their MSPs know what they think about decriminalisation. 

​Thank you to everyone who braved the rain! If you haven't been to a RIGHT SIDE Tour stop yet, keep an eye out for when we will be in a town near you! If you'd like to help us host a RIGHT SIDE Stop in your area - please get in touch with Margaret: margaret@spucscotland.org / 0141 221 2094.

Tuesday marked the best stop yet for the RIGHT SIDE Tour! Our biggest turn out, and a very enthusiastic response! Thank you to everyone who joined us in Dumfries; we look forward to working with you to fight the campaign for decriminalisation.

​At the meeting, more than 50 gathered together to learn about the campaign for decriminalisation. Margaret led the evening, and was most impressed by the response. Attendees were engaged and asked fantastic questions. Even better, lots of attendees had never met before, and the meeting proved to be a great opportunity for them to network and plan a coordinated pro-life effort moving forward. We wish this community the best of luck in their endeavours, and hope that SPUC Scotland can support you! Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to advertise the evening, your efforts certainly paid off. 

​The RIGHT SIDE Tour is gaining momentum! If you would like an event like this in your community, contact margaret@spucscotland.org 

Last night we visited Dundee again, this time for an official stop on the RIGHT SIDE Tour. There was a great turnout, with some familiar faces and some new ones as well! Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped with the event.

We took the opportunity at this stop to spend some time talking about the Ealing Council decision to put a PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) in place around the local abortion clinic, which would disallow pro-life vigils from taking place outside the clinic. This is a blatant violation of freedom of expression. While not, at first glance, directly related to decriminalisation, it is important to remember that both issues at their core promote the extension and normalisation of abortion in this country. Additionally, both of these topics are themes of campaigns headed up by BPAS. The 'Back-Off' Campaign calls for these 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics and the 'We Trust Women' Campaign calls for total decriminalisation of abortion. 

​The presentation led to an extensive discussion, and attendees seemed poised and ready to talk to their MSPs about this issue. Dundee is blessed with a wonderful pro-life community. We're confident that with strong pro-life voices, like those that were in attendance last night, that we can make positive changes in the culture and promote the dignity of all human life!

On February 24th, the RIGHT SIDE Tour made its way to Dundee for the Dundee Day for Life. This annual event is organised by the SPUC Dundee branch in collaboration with the Diocese of Dunkeld. There was a fantastic turnout this year - and all in attendance seemed to have a great day. 

​The day began with an address from Bishop Robson. Then, Margaret Akers gave her RIGHT SIDE presentation on decriminalisation. Attendees expressed interest in getting involved, and wanted to know about ways to reach out to politicians. After Margaret, Clare McCullough spoke about her work with the Good Counsel Network, providing assistance to abortion-minded women and offering them an alternative. She was full of hope, despite the increasing threat of buffer zones. She is confident the important work of the Good Counsel Network will continue. Emmet Dooley, from SPUC Scotland, then gave an overview of some of the education initiatives from SPUC. Finally, Clare McGraw from the SPUC Dundee branch, who worked very hard to have the day organised, spoke about the various ways people can get involved in the pro-life movement in Dundee.

​It was an inspiring day, and we look forward to many more like it!

Last night was the first RIGHT SIDE Tour stop of 2018 - and  a great start to another year touring Scotland with the message of life! We were in Motherwell, and many from community joined us to learn about the decriminalisation campaign, and engage in lively discussion about the issue. Margaret, Campaign Research Officer for SPUC Scotland,  gave a run-down of the decriminalisation campaign and why it's a bad idea for the women of Scotland. Emmet, Education Officer, then gave a lively presentation on the legacy of the 1967 Abortion Act. Some of the young people from the SPUC Scotland Project Truth team were in attendance. It was wonderful to share a bit about the project with the group!

​Keep an eye out for a new RIGHT SIDE video - coming to you soon!

Tuesday evening marked the final RIGHT SIDE Tour stop of 2017. It was a very successful evening - with our biggest turn out to date! 

​The evening was met with a small protest outside the venue. Protestors quietly and civilly handed out leaflets in support of decriminalisation. We support and celebrate their expression of freedom of speech, particularly at this time when pro-life vigils outside of abortion providers are being challenged both on a council and national level.

​Attendees were outraged by the campaign to further extend abortion in this country and sought ways to get involved in our campaign to challenge it. The evening was an opportunity to inform themselves and network with others who feel similarly. Following the presentations, there was a lively group discussion. Thank you to all who came. What an inspiring way for SPUC Scotland to close out 2017! We look forward to many more tour stops in the New Year!

Last night, John Deighan, CEO of SPUC Scotland, and Margaret Akers, Campaign Research Officer, were in Aberdeen for the second stop on the RIGHT SIDE tour. It was a great night and attendees seemed encouraged to get involved and make their voices heard! Many didn't know the momentum and agenda behind the campaign to decriminalise abortion; the event gave them the information they needed to go out and spread the word! The night ended with a great discussion over a cup of tea. Thank you to everyone who came along. If you missed it, no need to worry - the tour could come to you! If you're interested in hosting a RIGHT SIDE event to let your community know that abortion decriminalisation is wrong for this country, contact Margaret. margaret@spucscotland.org / 0141 221 2094​