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Belfast City Hall is set to be illuminated green on 28th September in support of ‘International Safe Abortion Day,’ despite opposition from pro-lifers, including the DUP.
Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee backed the illumination following a request from the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Eleven councillors from Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP, and the Green Party voted in favour, while three DUP representatives opposed it.
‘International Safe Abortion Day’ campaigns for expanded abortion provision, including increased abortion time limits and the removal of child-saving regulations such as mandatory waiting periods and third-party authorisations.
Precious Life, the Northern Irish pro-life organisation and great friends of SPUC, have now announced they will protest outside Belfast City Hall on 28th September if the illumination goes ahead.
“Belfast City Hall is not a billboard for abortion”, Precious Life Director Bernadette Smyth said.
“Public resources and ratepayers’ money must not be used to promote and celebrate the killing of unborn babies.”
Smyth also rejected the description of abortion as “safe,” arguing that the terminology ignores the unborn child whose life is ended.
“Abortion is never ‘safe’ because of the physical harm and psychological damage it causes women, and most definitely never ‘safe’ for the baby who is killed in every abortion”, she said.
“If this diabolical celebration of abortion goes ahead, Precious Life will hold a public protest outside Belfast City Hall on the day of the illuminations to expose the horrific reality of abortion.”
DUP group leader Councillor Sarah Bunting has similarly described International Safe Abortion Day as “a contradiction,” arguing that City Hall belongs to everyone and should not be used to promote one side of a contentious moral issue.
SPUC Executive Director Michael Robinson echoed his earlier statements, saying: “The slaughter of children is not an issue that unites Belfast, and it is a disgrace that public money is being used to pretend it does.”
He continued, “Belfast should be united for life and for the most innocent in society. SPUC is encouraging all members and readers to contact councillors in Belfast to stop the illuminations. We also encourage our supporters to attend the protest on 28th September, alongside our friends at Precious Life, if these celebrations of violence continue.”
The proposal will now go before the full council.
