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5th January 2024
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In this Issue...

READ: (#S3) ‘Exclusion Zone’ law proceeds as Master of Rotunda admits he can’t recall when last protest happened at hospital (#S345)

READ: Abortion supporters given community service for attack on US pro-life students (#S2)

REGISTER NOW: Book a place today at Student Summit 2024 (#SS24)

READ: Pro Life Campaign’s 2023 policy round-up (#S3)

WATCH: Our latest We Are Human Podcast Episode - 2023 Wrap Up: Euthanasia debate, telemedicine abortion, 3 Year Review & more (#pod)

ACTION: Get involved in the Humanity Campaign – Communicate with your politicians (#Humanity) today (#Humanity)

ACTION (#history) : Do you have pro-life material which could be historically relevant? (#history)
‘Exclusion Zone’ law proceeds as Master of Rotunda admits he can’t recall when last protest happened at hospital (http://)

The Rotunda Hospital

In an interview with The Irish Times earlier this week, the Master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin admitted (when asked about alleged pro-life protests) that he can’t recall when the last protest of this type took place outside his hospital.

Professor Seán Daly’s remarks reflect last September’s statement from Cork University Maternity Hospital that it had received no complaints from patients or staff about alleged pro-life protests. UL Hospitals Group in Limerick also issued a public statement confirming it had “no record” of pro-life protests and had received no complaints from patients, their partners, or staff.

This series of public statements completely undermine the narrative being pushed by the Government to justify its draconian exclusion zone Bill, which is currently before the Seanad, having already passed the Final Stage in the Dáil.

The Bill singles out pro-life citizens and criminalises them for engaging in peaceful non-confrontational gatherings (including even silent prayer) within 100 metres of every GP clinic, hospital or ‘family planning centre’ in the country regardless of whether the facilities in question perform abortions or not.

Rather than relying on concrete evidence, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly publicly thanked the radical pro-abortion group Together for Safety for advising him on how to proceed with his proposed Bill. It’s clear to anyone following the debate that the Bill is motivated by political ideology rather than out of a concern for public safety.

Meanwhile, in response to a recent parliamentary question from Carol Nolan TD, the Minister for Health attempted to play down the extreme and authoritarian nature of the Bill by claiming that it was “in line with or less restrictive” than similar laws in other jurisdictions. But the reality remains that his Bill is among the most repressive proposed laws anywhere in the world when it comes to curtailing freedom of assembly and speech on the abortion issue.
Abortion supporters given community service for attack on US pro-life students (http://)

Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins and image of the attack on pro-life students at Virginia Commonwealth University

Pro-abortion campaigners who were arrested for violently attacking pro-life students at a university campus in the US are to face no jail time but have instead been given community service for their crazed and unprovoked assault.

The attack took place at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where
Students for Life ([link removed]) president Kristan Hawkins was giving a presentation as part of the group’s “Lies Pro-Choicers Believe” tour.

Hawkins and her team managed to keep their cameras rolling on Instagram Live as the attack ensued. While pro-abortion activists chanted, “F**k Pro-lifers”, some of their number physically assaulted members of Students for Life and their invited guests.
Two of the attackers - 22-year-old Natalie Hoskins and 30-year-old Anthony Marvin - were arrested and charged with assault where they faced up to a year in prison and a fine.

It was reported this week however that neither Hoskins nor Marvin will face jail time and will instead carry out community service for their attacks.

At a recent Senate committee hearing, the FBI confirmed that 70% or more of abortion related violence and threats over the past two years in the US have been perpetrated against pro-life campaigners.
Book a place today at Student Summit 2024 (http://)
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Student Summit 2024 is taking place from 2nd-4th February 2024 at Glencomeragh House, Waterford.

This weekend is jam packed with inspiring talks, engaging workshops, delicious food, and exhilarating hikes.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to elevate your student journey and learn more about pro-life activism!

Book a free place NOW!!
Register Here ([link removed])
Pro Life Campaign’s 2023 policy round-up (http://)
2023 saw many significant developments in Ireland’s abortion policy. The Pro Life Campaign has compiled a short overview on four key developments we saw this year. They relate to the three-year review, Bríd Smith’s abortion bill, telemedicine, and exclusion zones.

The much awaited three-year review was released in April, which included recommendations for significant changes to the country’s abortions system. Most of the attention has been on its proposed legislative changes (which are being assessed by the Oireachtas Health Committee), however the Department of Health has also set up an implementation group to oversee the ‘operational’ changes proposed in the review. This internal group is being headed by the director of the national women and infants’ health programme. On-the-ground changes are just as important as legislative changes, and have already contributed to the addition of several hospitals to provide abortions in December, with just two maternity hospitals left in Ireland where abortions are not being provided.

The Health Committee’s consideration of the report involved inviting its author, Marie O’Shea, to address its members. “Highlights” from her two appearances in 2023 are contained in the PLC’s policy report. The passage of the Bríd Smith abortion bill at second stage on 31 May will also now come before the Dáil health committee, which pressurises the government to carry out extreme pro-abortion changes to the 2018 Act.

In addition, in 2023, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, announced that telemedicine will become a permanent feature of the Irish abortion system. This is a very reckless policy, which endangers the lives of women. In addition, it undermines the robustness of the three-day waiting period. The Minister also introduced his so-called ‘Safe Access Zones’ Bill, a draconian piece of legislation which the PLC has been campaigning against.

In 2024, we can expect these issues to continue to be important, particularly as the Oireachtas Health Committee puts the matter of legislative changes contained in the three-year review report back into the hands of the government. Pressure must be applied by pro-life citizens, particularly through lobbying, to ensure that sweeping changes to Ireland’s abortion policy are not introduced through the backdoor due to circular lobbying by well-heeled NGOs and interest groups.
Read the full 2023 Policy Report here! ([link removed])
Watch our latest We Are Human Podcast Episode - 2023 Wrap Up: Euthanasia debate, telemedicine abortion, 3 Year Review & more (http://)
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Watch and Listen to our latest We Are Human Podcast episode on 2023 Wrap Up: Euthanasia debate, telemedicine abortion, 3 Year Review & more.

In this episode we reflect on 2023 by going beyond the headlines, looking back at some of the biggest pro-life stories of 2023. We focus on issues like the euthanasia debate, telemedical abortion, the government’s 3 Year Review of abortion law, and more.

You can also find our content on Spotify and YouTube.
Watch and Listen here! ([link removed])
Humanity Campaign - Action Alert! (http://)
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It’s a really important time to approach your local TDs and Senators and urge them to reintroduce some humanity into the debate on abortion. The Three-Year Review, a seriously flawed process which produced a one-sided and extreme report, will be considered by politicians in the autumn. It’s important that we take action now.

We have produced a quick and easy Virtual Postcard for you to sign, which will automatically send an email to your local TDs. Use the button below to navigate into your county on our website and find your constituency.

It’s also important to have meetings with your TDs. These can be as simple as dropping into your local TD’s advice clinic to outline your concerns. Click below to register to lobby your local TDs. Don’t worry – we’ll help you every step of the way with advice on making the appointment to points you might consider raising.

We are heartened by the number of people actively involved and interested in meeting their politicians to express their views. The People Before Profit Bill which regrettably passed at 2nd stage of the Dáil on 31st May must also be countered. Even the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has said this Bill goes far beyond the recommendations of the Three-Year Review – which are already extreme in their own right.

It is crucial to engage with our politicians and remind them not to overlook the referendum promises. We need to fight to ensure our abortion policy is aimed at reducing the abortion rate.

Please take a moment to get involved in the
Humanity Campaign ([link removed]) . Remember even the smallest effort will make a big difference.

Thank you!
Send an instant email to your politicians here ([link removed])
Read more about the Humanity Campaign here ([link removed])
Do you have pro-life material which could be historically relevant? (http://)
We are putting out a call for anyone in possession of any documents, photographs, correspondence, etc. relevant to the Irish pro-life movement throughout the decades. We are particularly keen to receive anything in your possession related to periods such as the 1983 referendum. A comprehensive history of the pro-life movement is yet to be written, but the historians of the future will need primary sources. We are asking for people to get in touch with the Pro Life Campaign (mailto:[email protected]) if they possess such material (no matter how old or dusty!) to ensure it is preserved now and not lost to the ages.
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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