June 30th, 2003
In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves. Two days ago another demonstration was held in Warsaw, and Emancypunx, Os´ka and the March 8th Women's Alliance, all Polish Women's organizations, all collected signatures of people who supported Women on Waves cause.
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Newsweek Poland, 30-06-2003: “Abortion – They Terminated Pregnancies�: Last Thursday, three pregnant women terminated their pregnancies aboard the sailing abortion clinic Langenort. Our journalist went on board together with 10 volunteers. On board the ship Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves, made sonograms to confirm pregnancy. Only 3 pregnant women were onboard, the rest were feminists and translators. Before the Langenort reached international waters there were workshops on sexual education. A huge black penis was used to demonstrate how to use a condom. The seals on the medicine cabinets were broken. Pregnant women signed an agreement stating that they are aware of the choice they were making. They received a small pill, a glass of water, and a form describing the effect of the pill. The Dutch woman explained that there would be pain and within 48 hours menstruation should follow. The following day they called the women sailing with the ship with the announcement that the prosecutor’s office in Puck had started an investigation and that the participants could be called to the hearing as well. They reminded the women that they could refuse to testify. Importing illegal medicines can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment. Having an abortion is not a punishable offence.� Report from undercover journalist on board the Langenort
Monday, June 30, 2003
We have planned another voyage out to international waters today, but the crew and medical doctors are summoned to the police station to give statements concerning the investigation. It all takes much longer than expected and we have to cancel the trip.
In Wroclaw another demonstration in support of Women on Waves' fight to change the Polish anti-abortion law takes place. Tomorrow will be an open day for the ship. During the open days we invite the public to come on board to see the ship and offer them information about Women on Waves. Unfortunately there are problems with the security of the shipyard but we hope to convince the guards to allow the public to enter.
Security co-ordinator, Yvette: “In the morning Beata and I go to the director of the shipyard and the chief of harbour security. We discuss payments and try to negotiate the number of people who can enter the shipyard in order to be able to visit the Langenort. We explain how we plan to organise the open day. Finally the director and chief of security agree to allow 10 people to enter the shipyard at a time. They also promise that the visitors do not need to give their names and identification numbers. We then make appointments concerning the open day with the harbour master and the chief of border patrol. They seem to be very co-operative and they welcome us with cookies and coffee.
Gynaecologist, Gunilla: "It is very special to notice how journalists start to feel more and more involved with our campaign. One television reporter who is very negative during the first days starts to defrost and slowly our contact becomes more personal. When I go to the police station to be questioned, this journalist is there with his camera. I have to wait a long time and Juul offers me some Polish cakes. I ask the journalist not to film me while I am eating the delicious Polish cakes. The result: is that on the 8 o'clock news I see myself at the police station with a big smile and cookies in my hand. "These cookies are very tasty", I say in my best Polish. The commentary from the newscaster: "The feminists don’t appear to be stressed about the situation.� The next day the Polish reporter gives me a genuine Polish hand kiss. Unfortunately the antis notice this and the reporter is instructed not to interview me anymore because he is considered to be too supportive for our cause. This clearly indicates how much pressure there is from all sides is not to exhibit a pro-choice stance in public"
Press team, Jeannette: "As press co-ordinator my focus is on getting the most information as possible about the issues that WoW is tackling into the spotlight. But nobody can talk openly about the most important issue at stake, the fact that we are providing abortion services. This self-inflicted censorship is completely against our nature, openness is so important to everybody involved with Women on Waves."
Some hotline messages:
- A. 29 years old from Wroclaw, last period on 15.05. Doesn't have a passport.
- J. from Darlow. Last menstruation around 15.05. She calls a second time to say that she has changed her mind and doesn’t want an abortion any more.
- D. 35 years old from Otwock, last period 22.04, Too late for us to help her. Her husband is in prison and doesn’t know about her pregnancy. She is in a difficult financial position.
- Email: “I don’t know if I should write in English or Polish…so I'll write in Polish. I would like to ask how I can as quickly as possible make an appointment to use your services on open sea. Can you offer me advice as to how I can protect myself from view of the people protesting in the harbour. I am concerned that my family might recognise me. Please answer me. Thank you.�
Newsweek Poland, 30-06-2003: “Abortion – They Terminated Pregnancies�: Last Thursday, three pregnant women terminated their pregnancies aboard the sailing abortion clinic Langenort. Our journalist went on board together with 10 volunteers. On board the ship Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves, made sonograms to confirm pregnancy. Only 3 pregnant women were onboard, the rest were feminists and translators. Before the Langenort reached international waters there were workshops on sexual education. A huge black penis was used to demonstrate how to use a condom. The seals on the medicine cabinets were broken. Pregnant women signed an agreement stating that they are aware of the choice they were making. They received a small pill, a glass of water, and a form describing the effect of the pill. The Dutch woman explained that there would be pain and within 48 hours menstruation should follow. The following day they called the women sailing with the ship with the announcement that the prosecutor’s office in Puck had started an investigation and that the participants could be called to the hearing as well. They reminded the women that they could refuse to testify. Importing illegal medicines can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment. Having an abortion is not a punishable offence.� Report from undercover journalist on board the Langenort
Gynaecologist, Gunilla: "It is very special to notice how journalists start to feel more and more involved with our campaign. One television reporter who is very negative during the first days starts to defrost and slowly our contact becomes more personal. When I go to the police station to be questioned, this journalist is there with his camera. I have to wait a long time and Juul offers me some Polish cakes. I ask the journalist not to film me while I am eating the delicious Polish cakes. The result: is that on the 8 o'clock news I see myself at the police station with a big smile and cookies in my hand. "These cookies are very tasty", I say in my best Polish. The commentary from the newscaster: "The feminists don’t appear to be stressed about the situation.� The next day the Polish reporter gives me a genuine Polish hand kiss. Unfortunately the antis notice this and the reporter is instructed not to interview me anymore because he is considered to be too supportive for our cause. This clearly indicates how much pressure there is from all sides is not to exhibit a pro-choice stance in public"
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