A massive crowd turned out on Tuesday evening in Gibraltar for the March for Life in advance of next week’s referendum on abortion. The referendum if passed would introduce wide-ranging abortion in Gibraltar.
The current law fully protects the lives of pregnant women and ensures that they receive all necessary medical interventions throughout the nine months of pregnancy.
In recent years, the push to introduce wide-ranging abortion has come mainly from members of Gibraltar’s parliament, culminating in next week’s referendum.
The strength however of Gibraltar’s pro-life movement has become a big talking point in recent weeks and the turnout at Tuesday evening’s march (organised by the Save Babies Vote No campaign) was far bigger than anyone anticipated.
The outcome of next week’s referendum is hard to call with no official opinion polls carried out to date. One thing is certain though – the pro-life movement in Gibraltar is working flat out and appears way more energised than its opponents. Let’s hope and pray that these resolute and untiring efforts are enough to secure a resounding No vote on 24th June.
March for Life Gibraltar: The population of Gibraltar is 33,000, roughly the size of Bray in Co Wicklow. It puts in perspective the size of the turnout at Tuesday’s march!
More survivors of the Uyghur genocide in China are talking openly about their horrific experiences. The Associated Press (AP) recently interviewed several survivors who endured torture and were coerced into having abortions they didn’t want.
One of the women, Bumeryem Rozi, who fled to safety in Istanbul, told the AP: “I was 6 1/2 months pregnant. The police came, one Uyghur and two Chinese. They put me and eight other pregnant women in cars and took us to the hospital. They first gave me a pill and said to take it. So I did. I didn’t know what it was. Half an hour later, they put a needle in my belly. And sometime after that I lost my child.”
Bumeryem’s story is identical to hundreds of other stories told to Western journalists in recent years. It is estimated that well over one million Uyghurs (possibly closer to two million) are currently being held in concentration camps, where they are subjected to torture, sadistic sexual violence and forced abortions and sterilisations.
The United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU) recently issued sanctions against China over its treatment of the Uyghur people but the sanctions appear tokenistic and are having no impact in stopping the cultural genocide that’s taking place.
The refusal of the Irish government to take a more robust stance in condemning the Chinese government for their genocidal actions is inexcusable. They expect us to trust them that they are engaging in quiet diplomacy on the issue. This rings very hollow as they have been trotting out the same line for years with nothing to show for it. Meanwhile the cultural genocide continues as our government ministers elbow bump and salute representatives of the Chinese government every time they meet.
A young mother from Singapore has spoken about her experience of having a son with Down’s syndrome, and the pressure she felt from doctors to abort her baby after she was informed of the high probability that he would be born with the condition.
In an open letter to The Straits Times, Koh Sui Tin recounted how her doctor advised that she should have an abortion because of “all the challenges that my child would potentially have…”.
Tin rejected the advice to abort her son Daniel who is now three years old. She wrote in her letter:
“Three years into my journey of parenting a child with Down’s syndrome, I want to say that I am so glad that I did not terminate the pregnancy. My son Daniel has brought unspeakable joy to my entire family”.
Tin mentioned the important role that doctors play in influencing a mother’s decision about whether or not to have an abortion following a diagnosis of foetal disability.
“I shudder to think of how many babies like Daniel were aborted because of the unbalanced information on Down’s syndrome that doctors often relay to parents”.
“Rather than just focusing on the negatives and recommending abortion, perhaps doctors should also offer to connect parents with families that have a child with Down’s syndrome – people who really understand what it means to raise a child with Down’s syndrome”, she said.
SĂle Quinlan, spokesperson for the Pro Life Campaign, speaking to Wendy Grace of Spirit Radio about RTÉ Media Bias and the Pro Life Campaigns Stop the Bias Campaign
Sign an E-Card to send to the RTÉ Director General here
Community Connect is busier than ever, and there is a great and ongoing need for our help in the Dublin area.
So we have an exciting new job opportunity at our Dublin hub!
We are seeking a van driver to assist in making deliveries to families in need throughout the wider Dublin area. This is necessary in order for us to reach all of the mothers and babies who need our help.You would:
Have a full clean driving licence
Be comfortable driving a van (transit or similar size – note this is covered by a regular car driving licence, so no special licence required)
Be available to work one day per fortnight (likely to be Wednesday)
Be physically able to lift and move items such as cots and buggies
Come to the hub in Tallaght one day per fortnight to load up the van, and then deliver to families in need in and around County Dublin (including city centre), dependent on where the need is that particular week
Collect some donations when required, and return these items to the Tallaght hub
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NB: Access to your own van is not a requirement, as a vehicle can be provided if necessary.
Fuel costs will be fully covered, and training in the policies and procedures of Community Connect will be provided.
If you want to find out more, drop Elaine an email at [email protected]
Raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer.
Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!
Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.
Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual  intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.Â
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]
