By Jess McCabe | 21 October 2008, 10:15

Just a quick reminder: if you’re in London, get yourself to Westminster from 5.30pm today, to protest in favour of women’s right to choose and control our own bodies.

The protest has been organised by Abortion Rights, and they have all the details on their website:

5.30pm onwards, Old Palace Yard, outside Parliament, St Stephen’s entrance For a woman’s right to choose

Make the strength of pro-choice opinion felt in support of votes to improve women’s abortion rights and in opposition to continued attempts to restrict abortion access. The protest is on the eve of the Report stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - the first Parliamentary opportunity in a generation to improve the law for women and extend rights to Northern Ireland.

All pro-choice supporters welcome! - Please bring your friends, banners

The Report stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will take place on 22nd October. This protest has been called at short notice to ensure that MPs and the media feel the strength of pro-choice opinion ahead of these crucial votes. Please encourage your trade union, women’s group, student union or other organisation to come along.

Despite a strong vote in Parliament against restrictions in women’s abortion rights on 20th May 2008, anti-abortionists will try to impose ‘cooling off’ delays, counselling on women and severely restrict the grounds for requesting an abortion.

40 years after the enactment of the 1967 Abortion Act women need improved rights. Women need changes to end current widespread obstruction and delays when accessing services. We are supporting the calls of women from Northern Ireland to extend the law to there.

Write to your MP If you haven’t already, now is the time to email or phone your MP in advance of the vote on 22nd October. A model letter and information on how to identify and contact your MP is available on the campaign website www.abortionrights.org.uk.