Letter: The birth of misery

Sir: Having squirmed at the news coverage of the abortion protesters outside the International Planned Parenthood Federation (reports, 30 and 31 March), it occurred to me that, ironically, the anti-abortion organisations I have opposed for so long were probably reacting in exactly the same way.

It is soul-destroying to see years of lobbying, letter writing and thoughtful campaigning reduced to bawling extremes on the street within minutes. The anti-abortion groups must feel as glad to have Operation Rescue on their side as we are to have the left-wing political militant groups.

The extremists who turned up with their tatty pro-choice posters did not represent the pro-choice lobby in this country. We knew the anti-abortion demonstration would be a small group of elderly religious fundamentalists in anoraks and that by opposing them we would merely give them credibility, so we had advised all our members to keep away.

The anarchist groups who latch on to all 'freedom' causes were also asked not to demonstrate but, of course, did exactly what they wanted to.

Unfortunately, we all have our cross to bear.

Yours faithfully,

JANE ROE

Co-ordinator

Pro-Choice Alliance

London, W1

31 March