Protesters rally as British charity opens Belfast abortion clinic, first on island of Ireland
BELFAST, Northern Ireland - The first abortion clinic on the island of Ireland is opening in Belfast, sparking protests by Christian conservatives from both the Catholic and Protestant sides of the community.
The Marie Stopes centre plans to offer the abortion pill to women less than nine weeks pregnant — but only if doctors determine they're at risk of death or long-term health damage from their pregnancy.
That's the law in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where abortion is otherwise illegal.
Protesters are gathering outside the clinic's central Belfast location hours ahead of its opening Thursday. They say the clinic aims to widen access to abortion. Marie Stopes directors deny this.
About 5,000 women travel annually for abortions in neighbouring Britain, where abortions have been legal since 1967.
