A small group of demonstrators from Feminist Fightback demonstrated outside the offices of The Christian Medical Fellowship in Marshalsea Street, Southwark on Friday 25 January 2008. All pictures copyright (C) Peter Marshall
Washing line and banner outside the CMF office
CMF staff member talks to a demonstrator
Feminist Fightback symbol and demonstrators
Demonstrators with placards
According to a feature by 'The Guardian' science correspondent James Randerson, (
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/15/sciencenews.medicineandhealth), at least 6 members of the CMF gave evidence to the public consultation on abortion by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee without disclosing their membership of the CMF, which also presented evidence as a body.
The article quotes Liberal Democrat MP and science spokesperson Evan Harris, as saying "The CMF risk undermining the inquiry by getting people called as expert scientific witnesses when they are not'" In another feature, ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/27/1 ) Ben Goldacre asks some critical questions about the reliability evidence given by Professor John Wyatt, one of the few of those CMF members who gave evidence who has experience in the area.
The CMF also supports the minority report from the commission, which Feminist Fightback (FF) claims "uses unreliable evidence in contradiction to the main report, proposing a series of anti-women, anti-choice policies."
As I arrived, FF supporters were stringing a washing line between two posts on the street outside the CMF office, and hanging cloths from that with slogans proclaiming "A real right to choice means..." "Abortion on Demand", and demanding "Stop NHS Cuts", "Improved access to free contraception" and a "Living age + Free childcare" as well as "The extension of abortion rights to women in Northern Ireland." Others called for an end to the two doctor rule and to the stigmatisatin of single mothers, as well as for better sex education, and were for abortion on demand, against forced sterilization.
A final message on the washing line was "No reduction in the 24-week time limit", and one of the several placards carried by the demonstrators also read "No Compromise on the Time Limit." Another made clear why this demonstration was taking place here, "CMF tells lies about abortions." As well as the signs there were also some chants such as "Get your rosaries off our ovaries" and "Hey, Hey, Mister, Mister, Get your morals of our sister", making this a lively event.
A number of passing motorists honked in support and waved, and passers by also showed a positive interest. The CMF issued a press statement that included “We offer Feminist Fightback a warm welcome and support their democratic right to express their views, but we fully intend to continue our current activities.” They had provided a table with drinks and biscuits (though I don't think anyone took up the offer) and several of their staff came out to talk and argue with the demonstrators, if perhaps there was little listening taking place. The CMF is a charity, and over 6000 British doctors and medical students belong.
More pictures from the demonstration on My London Diary as usual http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2008/01/jan.htm#ff
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/15/sciencenews.medicineandhealth), at least 6 members of the CMF gave evidence to the public consultation on abortion by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee without disclosing their membership of the CMF, which also presented evidence as a body. The article quotes Liberal Democrat MP and science spokesperson Evan Harris, as saying "The CMF risk undermining the inquiry by getting people called as expert scientific witnesses when they are not'" In another feature, (
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/27/1 ) Ben Goldacre asks some critical questions about the reliability evidence given by Professor John Wyatt, one of the few of those CMF members who gave evidence who has experience in the area. The CMF also supports the minority report from the commission, which Feminist Fightback (FF) claims "uses unreliable evidence in contradiction to the main report, proposing a series of anti-women, anti-choice policies."
As I arrived, FF supporters were stringing a washing line between two posts on the street outside the CMF office, and hanging cloths from that with slogans proclaiming "A real right to choice means..." "Abortion on Demand", and demanding "Stop NHS Cuts", "Improved access to free contraception" and a "Living age + Free childcare" as well as "The extension of abortion rights to women in Northern Ireland." Others called for an end to the two doctor rule and to the stigmatisatin of single mothers, as well as for better sex education, and were for abortion on demand, against forced sterilization.
A final message on the washing line was "No reduction in the 24-week time limit", and one of the several placards carried by the demonstrators also read "No Compromise on the Time Limit." Another made clear why this demonstration was taking place here, "CMF tells lies about abortions." As well as the signs there were also some chants such as "Get your rosaries off our ovaries" and "Hey, Hey, Mister, Mister, Get your morals of our sister", making this a lively event.
A number of passing motorists honked in support and waved, and passers by also showed a positive interest. The CMF issued a press statement that included “We offer Feminist Fightback a warm welcome and support their democratic right to express their views, but we fully intend to continue our current activities.” They had provided a table with drinks and biscuits (though I don't think anyone took up the offer) and several of their staff came out to talk and argue with the demonstrators, if perhaps there was little listening taking place. The CMF is a charity, and over 6000 British doctors and medical students belong.
More pictures from the demonstration on My London Diary as usual
http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2008/01/jan.htm#ff 
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