A Week with Rebecca Kiessling
Rebecca Kiessling, National Spokeswoman for Personhood Alliance and Founder and Director of Save The 1, a pro-life organisation in the United States which campaigns for the protection of every unborn child in law and society, “without exception, without compromise”, gladly accepted an invitation from Bernadette Smyth to come to Belfast for a week of speaking engagements.
Rebecca was adopted nearly at birth. When she turned eighteen, she learned that she had been conceived in rape. Rebecca avows that she owes her life to the legislators and voters who ensured that abortion was illegal in Michigan at the time she was conceived. Since 1995 she has been fighting for the rights of unborn children conceived in rape and every other unborn child who is vulnerable to meeting the deadly fate she so narrowly escaped when she was in her mother’s womb.
From the day she arrived in Belfast, Rebecca captivated everyone with her radiant beauty and punchy approach to defending the lives of unborn children, much to the annoyance of pro-abortion ‘feminists’ and a particular radio presenter who couldn’t handle what she had to say, and a particular representative of a ‘human rights’ advocacy group who pulled out of a debate when he realised he would be no match for his opponent.
Schools Talks
Rebecca was invited to speak at a number of schools during her visit to Northern Ireland.
Rebecca shared her life story with the students who were very eager to meet her and speak with her after her presentation. In two schools, a number of students told Rebecca that her powerful testimony had opened their eyes and changed their minds; they no longer agreed with abortion in cases of rape.
Stormont
Rebecca was in Stormont on Tuesday 15th November to meet with and share her remarkable testimony with Members of the Legislative Assembly and representatives of pro-life groups. The event was hosted by MLAs Jim Wells (DUP) and Sinead Bradley (SDLP).
Rebecca was grateful for the opportunity to engage with our political representatives and to learn more about the current push for legalised abortion in cases of rape and incest and when an unborn child has been diagnosed with a life-limiting disability in Northern Ireland.
Rebecca also shared her many accomplishments, including testifying before state legislatures in support of Personhood Amendments and changing Governor Rick Perry’s heart and mind on the “rape exception”.
Debate
On Thursday 17th November, a debate was arranged to take place between Rebecca and Les Allamby,the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The theme of the debate was whether or not abortion should be decriminalised in Northern Ireland. The event was a wonderful opportunity for everyone on both sides of the debate to gain an invaluable insight into the biggest human rights issue of our day.
Unfortunately, Les Allamby pulled out of the event with late notice, but as they say, the show must go on. The room at Queen’s University Students’ Union was filled to capacity, so much so that many had to stand out in the corridor! Rebecca captivated her audience with her moving and powerful testimony. The floor was then opened for questions.
The night was a huge success. Precious Life members were very happy to get a photo with Rebecca, and the views of those who supported abortion were challenged, their consciences were pricked, and many of their hearts and minds were changed.
Interviews
The Nolan Show
On Monday 14th November, Rebecca was invited to speak on The Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster with Adrianne Peltz from Amnesty International. Rebecca exposed Amnesty International as a phony “human rights” group promoting the death penalty for innocent unborn babies conceived in rape.
Listen to the interview here!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b082k14d
Frank Mitchell Phone In Show
During an interview on the Frank Mitchell Phone In show on U105, Rebecca shared her story and talked about the plight of women who had been raped and who had regretted their abortions. She condemned the use of the term “the child of a rapist”, explaining that it was used to “demonise their child and push an agenda”.
Listen to the interview here!
Belfast Telegraph
A journalist from the Belfast Telegraph interviewed Rebecca about unborn children diagnosed with life-limiting disabilities and whether abortion should be allowed in those cases. Rebecca spoke about her adopted baby girl Cassie who was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome and died when she was 33 days’ old. She rejected the use of the term “fatal foetal abnormality”, explaining that such a diagnosis is “pure eugenics” and that doctors are playing off “people’s ignorance and their fear”.
Watch Rebecca’s hard-hitting video here!
Other coverage:
“Pro-life campaigner Rebecca Kiessling to speak at events across Northern Ireland”
“Abortion debate: Pro-life campaigner Rebecca Kiessling to speak at Northern Ireland schools”
http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/abortion-debate-pro-life-campaigner-12171676
“World-famous pro-life campaigner ‘honoured’ to be in NI”