Precious Life attend the UK March for Life
Precious Life were honoured to attend the UK March for Life, which was held for its second time in London, on Saturday (11th May). Joined by of thousands of other passionate pro-life advocates, it was an incredibly impactful and unforgettable experience. It was also a solemn reminder of the lives of over 9 million unborn babies killed as a result of legalised abortion in Britain since 1967.
Bernadette Smyth, Founder and Director of Precious Life, has worked tirelessly for over 22 years to keep abortion out of Northern Ireland! On Saturday, Bernadette and other members of Precious Life were very proud to bring our new banner with the message and mission of “Keeping Northern Ireland the safest place in the UK for unborn babies and mothers.” Northern Ireland has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the UK and one of the lowest worldwide. However, the fight very much continues and we need your help and support to keep Northern Ireland abortion-free!
The theme of this year’s march was “Every human person is #Irreplacable.” From the moment of conception, every human being has his or her unique DNA, gender, blood type, eye colour, fingerprints and genetic blueprint.
Speaking at this year’s March for Life, abortion survivor Melissa Ohden said, “I am standing here with you today as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a Master’s level prepared social worker, and yes, as an abortion survivor,” Ohden recounted. “You would never tell by looking at me today, but 41 years ago, I survived a ‘failed’ saline infusion abortion.”
Obianuju Ekeocha, the president of Culture of Life Africa, also spoke, calling abortion “the human rights issue of our time.” She went on to say that, "Abortion in this country has been legal now for more than 50 years and has taken the lives of more than nine million people. We are all gathered here today in this special venue because we have come to raise our voices to this parliament, because this parliament has it wrong."
Another powerful speaker was Bishop John Keenan, who compared the “dehumanisation” of slavery to that of abortion. Bishop Keenan quoted abolitionist William Wilberforce as saying “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me,” and “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Bernadette Smyth summed up the March for Life, "The pro-life movement, that is growing across the globe every day, must strive for a world that loves both mothers and their babies. At this moment in time, Northern Ireland serves as a beacon of hope and light to countries such as England, Scotland and Wales, which has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the world. Northern Ireland as a pro-life nation, this message of true progression, compassion and equality are at the heart of our culture. We are giving the world hope that one day, and hopefully in our generation, abortion will be abolished entirely."