Hundreds of pro-life men and women, including many SPUC supporters, rallied outside Parliament yesterday to protest two extreme pro-abortion amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill proposed by MPs Stella Creasey and Diana Johnson.
Hundreds of people and representatives from various pro-life groups gathered peacefully on Parliament Square on 15 May ahead of a crucial debate on two pro-abortion amendments that, if passed, would effectively decriminalise abortion up to birth by removing all legal protections for unborn children.
“NO to abortion up to birth” was the unifying message proclaimed on placards and t-shirts in full view of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he was driven past the pro-life rally on his way to PMQs. “Only 1 per cent of the British agree with abortion up to birth”, campaigner Louis McLatchie said with loudspeaker.
15 May was the first day of the Report Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill – when amendments are selected to be debated and voted on by MPs.
In response to the threat posed to unborn children and their mothers by the amendments, multiple pro-life groups rallied together, including SPUC, Christian Concern, ADF UK, and 40 Days for Life.
SPUC branch members travelled to the event from as far away as Walsall and Bournemouth. Participants lauded the good atmosphere and unifying spirit of the rally, where MPs Carla Lockhart and Ian Paisley spoke against the amendments.
Other speakers at the rally included Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who has been arrested twice for praying silently outside an abortion facility, Eden McCourt of Abortion Resistance, and SPUC’s Alithea Williams, who emphasised the extreme nature of the amendments.
“These amendments are deadly to babies; they’re devastating to women… There’s nothing compassionate about this… ending the life of an unborn baby just before birth, hours before birth”, Ms Williams told the crowd.
“And what sort of society wants to do this to women?” she continued. “Inducing an abortion at home, particularly at that late stage, is dangerous [and] traumatic…. A woman will have to give birth to a dead baby…
“Today, our message is a very simple one… NO to abortion up to birth.”
The pro-abortion amendments are now set to be debated on the second day of the report stage. Another rally is due to take place at the same time, which is expected to be sometime next week.
“MPs must respect the democratic will of the British people”
SPUC’s Michael Robinson, Executive Director (Public Affairs and Legal Services), said: “It was inspiring to see so many pro-life individuals and groups come together on behalf of unborn babies and their mothers, and for compassion when it is needed the most.
“These extreme amendments constitute the greatest threat to unborn life and mothers since the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act. The public is unified against any legislation that would allow abortion up until birth. MPs must respect the democratic will of the British people.
“The pro-life movement cannot afford to be complacent as the fate of thousands, if not millions, of unborn lives still hangs in the balance. SPUC encourages all pro-life supporters and friends to contact their MPs to voice their opposition to these horrifying amendments. We must continue to stand together, and with one voice say, ‘NO to abortion up to birth.’”