This week the NI Assembly voted in favour of a pro-life motion, rejecting abortions in the case of children with non-fatal disabilities. Whist the vote won't change the law, it sends a strong message to Westminster MPs who have imposed wide ranging abortion regulations on Northern Ireland without the consent of the people.
Westminster MPs voted to change Northern Ireland's abortion laws last year, but the new regulations only came into effect on the 31st March. Tragically, they allow for abortion up until birth in cases of unborn children with non-fatal disabilities, and allow for abortion upon request for any reason up till 12 weeks.
After these regulations were introduced, high profile disability rights campaigner Heidi Crowter publicly called on MLAs in the Assembly to reject them. In a public letter to northern politicians last month, she said that "As a person who has Down's syndrome, I find this proposal for Northern Ireland deeply hurtful and offensive.".
Heidi Crowter of Don't Screen Us Out was central to the motion proposed in the Northern Ireland Assembly. She is pictured here with her mum Liz being interviewed at the 2016 National Vigil For Life in Dublin.
A number of MLAs brought a motion to the Assembly on Tuesday, welcoming Heidi's intervention, and called a symbolic vote to reject the discriminatory new abortion regulations. The motion passed with 46 votes in favour, to 40 against, in a cross party vote that was supported by MLAs from the DUP, SDLP, UUP, Alliance Party and TUV.
We will continue to support our friends and allies who are working hard in Northern Ireland and in Westminster, as they seek to reinstate Northern Ireland's pro-life laws.
If you wish to understand more about the legal and political background as to what happened in the Assembly this week, and in Westminster last year, you can read The Minimise Project's blog report here.
Want to hear more about what happened in Stormont this week?
Register herefor tomorrow's PLC Network Webinar which will take place at 11am.
We are delighted that we will be joined by Dawn McEvoy of Both Lives Matter in Northern Ireland who will give an update on the encouraging developments in keeping abortion out of Northern Ireland. We will also have an extended panel discussion looking at where the energy of grassroots pro-life people should be focused.
The event is FREE but pre-registration is essential. Carol Nolan TD is unavailable this coming Saturday but will be joining our next webinar!
Read more below and why not get involved in some of our projects and events. If you can, please complete our volunteer survey below. Thank you!
We are thrilled with the number of people who have already registered to complete a 5K run or walk during June to raise much needed funds for support services for women in unplanned pregnancy and new mothers.
If you have already registered to take part, please share it on social media and nominate five others to join you. If you haven't signed up, why not do so today?
All you need to do is commit to doing a 5k walk or run during the month of June. You can register here
Once you register, you will get an invitation to join the online 'Team' and we will send you out your official LoveBoth fundraising pack including a sponsorship form and t-shirt.
How else can you support the cause?
Whether you are doing the challenge or not you can donate to this this fundraiser here
Join a Masterclass on communicating the pro-life message!
Want to learn how to explain the pro-life position (or advance your knowledge) and skillfully answer challenging questions? Our next online Communications Workshop will cater for all levels and will take place on Wednesday 24th June from 8.30-9.30pm.
Are you a secondary school (TY or older) or third level student? Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning? We are seeking ‘virtual’ interns to work part-time from home at this time. Internships run for one week periods throughout the Summer.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. 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]
