2nd July 2021
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In this issue: 

WATCH: Massive 70% increase in abortions since 2018 – watch latest PLC video

WATCH: The hecklers fell silent this week when Senator Mullen spoke about baby Christopher this week

READ: Heidi Crowter’s case before High Court in London next week

READ: Mick Wallace’s fact-free claims about treatment of Uyghur population in China

ACTION ALERT: Take a stand against RTÉ bias - Order Leaflets Today!

REGISTER NOW: Community Connect Workshop, Wednedsday 7th July

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Webinar with special guest Autumn Lindsay, Saturday the 10th July


REGISTER NOW: Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer.

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC
Massive 70% increase in abortions since 2018 – watch latest PLC video

The official abortion figures for 2020 released on Tuesday by the Department of Health show a massive 70% increase in abortions since 2018, the year prior to the introduction of abortion.

Abortions increased by close to 20% in the first quarter of 2020 (prior to the onset of the Covid-19 lockdown) compared to the same period in 2019. It’s very likely this upward trend in abortions would have continued throughout 2020 were it not for the unprecedented changes that happened in society once Covid-19 struck.

The latest figures are a damning indictment of Government policy that cravenly pushes abortion and treats with disdain positive alternatives.

Watch and share the PLC’s latest video and read more about the latest abortion figures here

Listen here to EilĂ­s Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign discussing the latest abortion figures on Castlebar Community Radio.

The hecklers fell silent this week when Senator Mullen spoke about baby Christopher this week 
Senator RĂłnĂĄn Mullen

Pro-Life Oireachtas members are often heckled by colleagues when they speak on abortion. There were no hecklers this week however, just silence, when Senator Rónán Mullen made an impassioned intervention in the Seanad on the tragic death of baby Christopher Kiely who was aborted in the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street following a misdiagnosis in his case. It’s another superb contribution from Senator Mullen that’s well worth watching and sharing.

View here

Heidi Crowter’s case before High Court in London next week

Next Tuesday, for two days, Heidi Crowter and Máire Lea-Wilson’s case against the UK’s discriminatory abortion law will be heard in the High Court in London.

The case revolves around the discrimination in the law that permits abortion up to birth where an unborn baby is detected with a disability, while there is a general 24-week time limit in other situations.

Heidi Crowder is joined by Máire Lea-Wilson is taking the landmark case. Máire’s 2-year-old son Aidan has Down’s syndrome and she has spoken publicly about being “placed under intense pressure” to have an abortion after a 34-week scan revealed he had Down’s syndrome. In a recent interview she said: “I have two sons that I love and value equally, but the law does not value them equally. This is wrong and so we want to try and change that
We proclaim that we live in a society that values those with disabilities, that everyone deserves a fair and equal chance at life, regardless of their ability status. This law undermines that narrative, does it really have a place in 2021?”

Heidi Crowter speaking as someone with Down syndrome, said: “People like me are considered to be ‘seriously handicapped’, but I think using that phrase for a clause in abortion law is so out of date
People shouldn’t be treated differently because of their disabilities, it’s downright discrimination”.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities repeatedly criticised countries that allow abortion based on disability. The outcome of next week’s case will be followed with considerable interest both in the UK and internationally.

Mick Wallace’s fact-free claims about treatment of Uyghur population in China

Ireland South MEP Mick Wallace claimed yesterday that reports one million Uyghur people are being detained in concentration camps by the Chinese Government are “grossly exaggerated.”

Without presenting an iota of independent evidence, Mr Wallace made his claims on Newstalk Breakfast, effectively parroting the propaganda speaking points of the Chinese Communist Party.

Numerous independent assessments in recent years have estimated that well over one million Uyghurs (possibly closer to two million) are 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) have introduced sanctions (albeit weak sanctions) against China on foot of all the evidence gathered. But in Mick Wallace’s eyes, it’s a case of “move along, little or nothing to see here.”

When he says the claims about detention conditions are “grossly exaggerated”, it means he doesn’t dispute the very existence of the concentration camps. This begs the question, why is he not openly condemning the Chinese authorities for operating genocidal camps regardless of how extensive they are?

His request to Chinese authorities to be allowed visit the XinJiang region to assess the conditions for himself is utterly naĂŻve at best. Does he seriously think the Chinese government will grant him access to the actual camps where the Uyghur people are being detained and tortured?

Politicians like Mick Wallace are free to make the most outlandish claims safe in the knowledge they won’t be properly challenged by the media in Ireland to back them up. It’s another sign of the lack of seriousness in this country at present when it comes to rigorous debate and holding people to account for the claims they make if they happen to belong to the ‘acceptable’ side of the ideological divide.

Take a stand against RTÉ bias - Order Leaflets Today!
Take a stand against RTÉ bias - sign the instant e-card here
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue. 

We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".

Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.

Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Order Leaflets Today!
Register Now for Community Connect Workshop on Wednedsday 7th July

Register Now for Community Connect Workshop 

The Topic is Supporting Mothers and Babies - Wednedsday 7th July, 7.30PM - 8.30PM.

Our workshop series invites volunteers to share their knowledge, develop skills and receive futher education and training on right to life issues.

The event is free but participation is limited to 20 people. 

Register Here
Register Now PLC Network Webinar with special guest Autumn Lindsay on Saturday the 10th July

REGISTER NOW for the PLC Network Webinar, Saturday 10th July from 11am-12noon.

Special guest Autumn Lindsay of Students For Life of America will join a discussion about new ways to engage with the public on the pro-life issue.

The webinar will also include a panel discussion with grassroots activists and much more! 

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.

Register Here
Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer.

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

Register Here
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC

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. 

Thank you!

 

Apply Now by filling in the application form

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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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