--- PRESS RELEASE --- Thirty Women Protest at Stormont
Thirty Women Protest at Stormont
Today, Tuesday 2nd June 2015, thirty women will be gathering outside Stormont to protest against Sinn Féin’s Petition of Concern which is intended to block Jim Wells MLA’s amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill.
In July 2014, Mr Wells put forward an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. The purpose of this amendment is to prohibit commercial provision of abortion ‘services’ in Northern Ireland and to ensure that any mother who experiences any difficulties during her pregnancy will receive the best obstetric care that is already available on the NHS free of charge.
The amendment is due to be debated and voted on today. Sadly, Sinn Féin are once again scrambling to keep Marie Stopes open and are attempting to block the amendment with a Petition of Concern. Sinn Féin is disregarding the voices of 35,000 people who have made clear that Marie Stopes or any private abortion provider is not wanted or needed in Northern Ireland.
In response to the Justice Committee’s call for evidence on Mr Wells’ amendment, Precious Life launched its Project Justice Campaign. This campaign gave the people of Northern Ireland an opportunity to show their support for Mr Wells’ amendment. Thousands of submission postcards were distributed in churches and communities throughout Northern Ireland.
On 17th September 2014, Precious Life presented to the Justice Committee a total of 35,000 responses to the public consultation. Mr Wells announced that this was the ‘largest response to any consultation process the Northern Ireland Assembly has ever seen. 35,000 submissions have arrived from every corner of Northern Ireland and from every community. Looking at these boxes of submissions, no one could say that there was no public consultation.’
Notwithstanding this overwhelming support for the amendment, thirty signatures are just what Marie Stopes need to remain open in Northern Ireland. The thirty women who will be standing outside Stormont today will represent the 35,000 people who said “No” to Marie Stopes and will stand in opposition to the thirty signatures required to pass the Petition of Concern.
Precious Life is urging every Member of the Legislative Assembly to respect the democratic wishes of the people and vote in favour of this amendment on Tuesday 2nd June 2015. Their vote will ensure that mothers and their unborn children are protected.