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23rd October 2020
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** In this issue:
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** NEWS: Major pro-life victory in Poland! (#poland)

NEWS: Incredible line of speakers for Pro Life Campaign National Conference next Saturday, 31st October - REGISTER TODAY! (#Conference)

NEWS: Landmark case against the UK’s discriminatory abortion law granted High Court hearing (#heidi)

NEWS: THANK YOU! Online auction raises nearly €35,000 for pro-life education and support. (#thankyou)

NEWS: Update on Euthanasia Bill SHARE: Month For Life Social Media Graphics to share (#mfl)
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Major pro-life victory in Poland! ()

Poland’s constitutional tribunal has struck down a discriminatory abortion law that allows unborn babies with a disability to be aborted.

Before the ruling, abortions were already prohibited in Poland in most circumstances. However, until now, there was an exception “when prenatal tests or other medical grounds indicate a high probability of severe and irreversible impairment of the foetus or an incurable life-threatening disease.”

On Thursday, the constitutional tribunal accepted the pro-life arguments submitted that the exception in the law targeting babies with a disability violated constitutionally protected human rights.

In her ruling, Chief Justice Julia Przylebska said the law is “incompatible” with the Polish constitution. The decision will likely save thousands of babies from being aborted and is a sign that it’s possible with dedication and commitment to overturn permissive abortion laws incrementally. Until 1990, abortion was available in Poland on wide-ranging grounds but since the end of Communist rule there, the law has steadily turned in a pro-life direction.

This week’s decision is something pro-life supporters everywhere should celebrate and take heart from as we continue the fight for life and human dignity.
Update on Euthanasia Bill ()
Many pro-life advocates were very disappointed recently to see Gino Kenny TD's 'Dying with Dignity Bill' pass second stage, without any meaningful debate. However, all hope is not lost, as the legislation must pass through a number of other stages before it can become law. At pre-legislative scrutiny and committee stages, it is expected that experts will give testimony about the Bill. The good news about this is that palliative care consultants and medical professionals are overwhelmingly opposed to the bill. It is also expected that people with disabilities will be able to testify against this highly discriminatory bill, which will make people like them, people with terminal illnesses and older people feel like a burden on society.

For updates on the campaign against euthanasia/assisted suicide, check out the Hope Ireland Facebook page ([link removed]) and website ([link removed]) for ideas on how to get involved.If you have a story that you would like to tell in this debate, you can contact Hope Ireland at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
Landmark case against the UK’s discriminatory abortion law granted High Court hearing ()

Heidi Crowter pictured with her husband James Carter

Following on from the wonderful pro-life developments in Poland this week, it is a great boost to the pro-life movement to have something else to celebrate with the decision of the High Court in London to hear a landmark case against the UK Government over the country’s discriminatory abortion legislation, which singles out babies with disabilities by allowing terminations right through to birth.

It’s thanks to Heidi Crowter, a 24-year-old woman with Down’s syndrome, and Máire Lea-Wilson, whose sixteen-month-old son Aidan also has the condition, that the court is hearing the case. It shows what willpower and gutsy determination can achieve!
Aside from the High Court hearing, the publicity surrounding the case has the huge benefit of educating the public to the reality of the kinds of discrimination that are still tolerated solely on the basis of an unborn baby having a disability of any kind.

When Heidi Crowter speaks all the concocted arguments in favour of abortion on grounds of disability fall to pieces. Heidi’s earnest and impassioned plea to be afforded an equal right to life to everyone else is so compelling that it forces her opponents to switch their line of attack rather than confront the undisputed truth of the case she makes.

Heidi, who recently got married in one of the first post-lockdown weddings, said:

“At the moment in the UK, babies can be aborted right up to birth if they are considered to be ‘seriously handicapped’. They include me in that definition of being seriously handicapped – just because I have an extra chromosome! Can you believe that? As someone with Down syndrome, I find it deeply offensive and it makes me cry.”

She added: “I am going to take the Government to court with other members of the Down’s syndrome community to make sure that people aren’t treated differently because of their disabilities.”

Heidi and Máire’s legal challenge has generated widespread support with over 6 million people to date having watched Heidi
tell Channel 5 ([link removed]) ([link removed]) TV that that the current law makes her feel “unloved and unwanted”.

The campaign has been shared tens of thousands of times on social media, with people adding #ImWithAidan and #ImWithHeidi to their posts.

Consider sharing the social media posts or donating to the crowdfunding campaign here ([link removed])
Thank you! - Ceiliúradh Cois Life online auction raises €35,000 for pro-life education and support! ()
Many thanks for taking part in Ceiliúradh Cois Life Online Fundraiser Auction. We are delighted to announce that we raised nearly €35,000 for our education and support initiatives.

We could not have done this without your support. Many thanks to all our donors, sponsors and bidders. Thank you also to all who registered and bought raffle tickets.

If you have any queries regarding pledges, bids or payments, please email us on [email protected]

Thank you.

We are Human - NEW podcast published today ()
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We are Human Podcast is a conversation about life!

The second episode has been published today and deals with communicating the pro-life message effectively, baby development facts, an interview with Reggie LittleJohn of Human Rights without Frontiers and an update on the proposed Euthanasia Bill

Listen to Episode 2 and find out more about how to subscribe and listen to the We Are Human Podcast here ([link removed])
Pro Life Campaign National Conference - Register Today! ()
Join hundreds of other pro-life advocates at the PLC National Conference 2020 which this year will be streamed live ONLINE on 31st October from 11am-1.30pm.

As well as the amazing line up of speakers outlined below, we will also have panels with PLC Network activists, Members of the Oireachtas and faith leaders and updates on local projects and national campaigns.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Ryan Bomberger is an Emmy Award-winning creative professional, international public speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed book, Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong. He is also one of the most prominent pro-life voices in the US and through his highly effective advertising campaigns has prompted a national debate on the disproportionate concentration of abortion clinics in black communities in the US. Ryan has an incredible personal story. His biological mother was raped but gave birth to her son. He movingly thanks his birth mother for the gift of life. Ryan was adopted as a baby and grew up in a loving, multi-racial family in Pennsylvania. In addition to his many other achievements, he is the co-founder of RadianceFoundation.org, a life-affirming organization based on the belief that every human life has a unique and intrinsic purpose.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Kelsey Hazzard is founder and President of Secular Pro-Life and a member of Equal Rights Institute’s Board of Advisors. She has a unique style and is reaching new audiences all the time with the pro-life message. Her writings appear regularly in pro-life media and she is featured in the pro-life documentary “40”. Kelsey is also a regular contributor to debates on the right to life in the national media. She works as a lawyer in private practice in Naples, Florida.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Rachel MacKenzie, is one of the most effective and active pro-life campaigners in Britain. She courageously shares her personal testimony about the two abortions she had and her search for hope and healing afterwards. In January 2020, Calthorpe Clinic in Birmingham, England’s oldest abortion clinic closed after 50 years. Rachel, who had one of her abortions at this clinic, prayed and worked hard for this day to arrive. She also runs a branch of ‘Rachel’s Vineyard’ in the Midlands area for women who regret their abortions and are seeking healing.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Carla Lockhart MP is a Democratic Unionist Party politician from Northern Ireland, representing the constituency of Upper Bann. She is a vocal pro-life advocate in Westminster parliament and earlier this year along with Baroness Nuala O’Loan and disability rights campaigner Heidi Crowter, she hand delivered a petition to Downing Street from the people of Northern Ireland in opposition to the extreme abortion law being foisted on them by the UK government.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Elaine Noonan is Programme Manager of Community Connect, the wonderful new initiative which provides a vital lifeline to expectant mums who need meaningful and practical supports. It has 9 locations mobilised around the country, including 6 key ‘hubs’ with storage units. In these difficult and challenging times, Community Connect is harnessing the goodwill and generosity of people towards something truly positive. It is already making a big impact on the ground and proving to be an indispensable support to pregnant mums in need throughout Ireland.

You can register instantly for the conference here ([link removed])
Month For Life Social Media Graphics to share ()

Download Growing Pink Heart Emoji Icon | Emoji Island
If you spot our social media graphics for Month For Life, please take a moment to share them on your own social media platforms. Let's spread our message of support for mothers in unplanned pregnancy and protection of their unborn babies.

Follow us on social media!
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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]

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