The ‘Rally For Life’ in Belfast on Saturday (11th March) 2023 was a great success. Despite atrocious weather conditions, large numbers of people still braved the wind, rain and snow to march through the City Centre.

The theme for the Rally was “PEACE BEGINS IN THE WOMB” and “STOP ABORTION VIOLENCE”.

Addressing the Rally in Custom House Square, Bernadette Smyth told the crowds, “This is the first major pro-life event here since Westminster forced on Northern Ireland in 2020. We’re here today to show that we still demand our unborn babies be protected.”

She added “This year is also the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement. We are sending out the clear message that there can never be true peace in Northern Ireland unless there is PEACE IN THE WOMB.

“One of Good Friday Agreement’s main commitments to Human Rights was respect for the civil and religious rights of everyone in the community. So shame on the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the other pro-abortion parties who brought in a law to criminalise members of our communities who pray outside abortion centres in Northern Ireland.”

“We are calling on the Stormont Assembly and the Westminster Government to uphold the Good Friday Agreement and respect the civil rights and religious liberties of everyone, by repealing the draconian “Abortion Buffer Zones” law in Northern Ireland.”

Special guest speakers at the Rally were:

• Niamh Uí Bhriain  
• Michael and Conor O'Dowd  
• Dr Anne McCloskey  
• Gemma Brolly
 • Rev Ross Collins  
• Fr Sean Gough
• Dr Dermot Kearney
Fr Sean Gough gave his testimony of being arrested for silently praying within a buffer zone outside an abortion centre in Birmingham. Fr Gough said he was “criminalised because of thoughts, criminalised because of prayers”. He added, “…whatever your views are on abortion, we can all agree that a democratic country cannot be in the business of prosecuting thought crimes.”

Dr Dermot Kearney spoke of how he was prohibited from providing 'abortion pill reversal' treatment to women. Dr Kearney said, He concluded with a messsage for all people campaigning to protect unborn babies - “Never ever give up, never tire of doing what is right.”

Closing the Rally, Bernadette Smyth said, “The death toll of unborn babies since Westminster forced the violence of abortion on Northern Ireland is now over 4136. That’s more than the death toll of all the people killed in ‘the Troubles’. But we will continue working to restore protection for our unborn babies and their mothers from abortion. We will continue to say loud and clear - stop abortion violence because peace begins in the womb!”

Check out our Facebook to listen to the Rally Speeches here and view the pictures of the Rally here 

The Battle continues...
We will be back in "Rally Mode" soon when we help organize the All Ireland Rally for Life in Dublin in July. You can help us distribute leaflets and posters, and organise buses from Northern Ireland. We will be in touch with you in May/June, but for now - SAVE THE DATE - Saturday 1st July - DUBLIN
   Meanwhile, our Pro-Life Vigils outside the abortion centres, and our weekly Street Outreach continue. To get involved, give us a call on 02890278484 or email [email protected]. 

The Precious Life Communications Team