Event Reports

From the ACL Team

Last Saturday more than 5000 people turned out for the second annual March for the Babies to commemorate the second anniversary of the passing of Victoria’s abortion laws which allow abortion up until birth for any reason. In response to the apparent media ‘blackout’, ACL’s Victorian Director Rob Ward penned an article for the internet journal Online Opinion.

“Just because abortion is controversial and divisive, doesn’t mean journalistic standards should not apply”, Rob writes.

He begins " ...news judgements employed last weekend call in to question whether or not there is interest in striving for accuracy and balance when it comes to controversial topics such as abortion.

One must wonder this when we look at the reporting, or rather non-reporting, of the March For The Babies on Saturday, October 9, in Melbourne. Despite pre-event media notices being sent to every TV, radio and newspaper in Melbourne and the presence of a number of film crews and journalists, the event was subject to a virtual media blackout. What little reporting there was came via the published comments of opponents of the event.

Conservative estimates put the crowd at March for the Babies at more than 5,000, while a protest group representing the “pro-choice” side was between 30 and 60, the higher number coming from an ABC staffer who was present.

The Australian Associated Press news wire service, reporting from Brisbane on the small “pro-choice” rallies, appears to have relied solely on information from a “pro-choice” spokesperson and seemed unable to get anyone from the March For The Babies to comment. How hard could it have been?

AAP said March for the Babies in Melbourne attracted 400 people while the “pro-choice” demonstrators numbered 200. I was present at March for the Babies and witnessed the “pro-choice” protest. I counted around 60 but note the Herald Sun reported there were 30.

AAP was happy to have a “pro-choice” spokesperson speak on behalf of March for the Babies saying that the “cashed up pro-life movement bused people in from all over the State”.

If AAP had bothered to check, they would have found that both claims were false. Yet this was syndicated throughout the nation and picked up uncritically by several reputable news outlets including The Age."

Read the entire article>

PS: Naturally, the Life Network Australia team were at the March in Melbourne. We can verify that there were a lot more than 400 pro lifers there!

Interestingly, the Sydney Morning Herald today described pro life Australians as a ‘noisy minority’. Apparently ‘the anti abortion lobby is loud, it is organised and often it is downright offensive.’

Standing on the steps of the the Victorian parliament on Saturday looking at 5000 peaceful families and 30-odd coat-hanger waving and condom-brandishing pro-abortionists with signs saying ‘I f***ed Jesus’ and chanting through megaphones, it wasn’t hard to tell which crowd was the offensive, noisy minority.

On the 25th May 2010, approximately 800 West Australians marched in the Remembrance Walk and Rally for Life to mark the 12th year anniversary of "the most despicable piece of legislation passed in WA Parliament in 1998". This legislation made abortions legal up until 20 weeks on request and even later into the gestation with two doctors' consent.
 
This year Western Australia will mark the deaths of 100 000 of unborn babies killed by legal abortion, unbeknown to most people. 100 000 WA children are missing from our community, since 1998. This is equivalent to 8 large public high schools every year for 12 years. These unborn children did not have the opportunity to learn, laugh, have loving relationships or families of their own, due to having their innocent and defenseless lives taken by the sanction of our Government.
 
As well as reminding the Government of our discontentment of the current law, the purpose of the Rally was to mourn the deaths of the unborn children. "We also remember the tens of thousands of mothers who have been harmed by abortion, regardless if it was their choice, or made easier by the passage of this legislation, or whether they were pressured by others, we pray for them", said Dwight Randall, Director of Life Ministries, Pregnancy Problem House and the Coalition for the Defence of Human Life.
 
The walk started from St Mary's Cathedral at 7pm, with an address and prayer with Archbishop Hickey. We were given electric candles and a silver or gold brooch of unborn baby feet at 10 weeks gestation and proceeded to walk through the streets of Perth. It was very encouraging to see men and women, young and old uniting together against the tragedy of abortion. It is very important that our youth see these types of demonstrations, so that they are aware that not everybody sees abortion as the right "choice". It should make people think about making better choices in life, taking care of their physical and mental health and supporting others who may find themselves in a difficult situation. Many people play a role in someone's decision for an abortion and as friends, partners and family, we can show a woman that she has the support she needs to have her baby.
 
During the walk, we stopped at Government House, where we had a prayer of repentance. Dwight Randall spoke, along with 4 young speakers, one of which was a young male. This young man pointed out to us, that even though abortion is legal, the fathers of these unborn babies, have absolutely no rights in stopping their unborn children from being killed by abortion. Abortion has also harmed many men. He also encouraged men who did find themselves involved in an unwanted pregnancy to step up to the plate and support their partner and child and that looking for a "quick fix" to get out of their responsibility can leave long lasting emotional scars on both parents. It could also be their last opportunity to ever be a father.
 
We arrived at Parliament House around 9pm, where we were met by Pro-Life Politicians from across the board of all political parties. Each pledged to uphold the right to life of unborn babies and asked us to support Pro-Life politicians in our polling area. State Liberal MP, Peter Abetz, proposed the idea of mandatory 3D, colour ultrasounds for women contemplating abortion and a 48 hour "cooling off" period, to help reduce the staggering number of abortions performed in WA. This legislation for the viewing of an ultrasound has been passed in 16 states so far in the USA.
 
A fitting end to our walk was to gather together and bow our heads for a minute's silence for the loss of the unborn children, their mothers and their families to remember the tragic loss and hurt caused by the legalisation of abortion.

Thanks to Joanne Cicchini for sending in this report.

Over 300 people marched in Christchurch on April 10 to highlight the value of all human life, and to speak out against abortion, according to LifeSiteNews.

The New Zealand March For Life focused especially on the application by the pro-abortion Family Planning Association to the New Zealand Abortion Supervisory Committee for a license to use the chemical abortion drug RU 486 at their Hamilton clinic.

Local group, Stop Family Planning is working to raise awareness about the FPA’s attempt to convert its 30 centres throughout the country into abortion mills, initially committing chemical abortions against mothers and their pre-born babies.

As supporters of the march, Stop Family Planning commented, “It is excellent that all these groups are speaking up together on behalf of the unborn: that pre-born babies are valuable, that New Zealand’s abortion rate is appallingly high, and that the FPA should be denied their application for a license to kill yet more babies throughout the country.”

A press release from the March for Life organisers says that approval of the deadly abortifacient drug would open the door to further destruction of human life in the country, which already has approximately 18,000 pre-born babies killed every year by surgical abortion.

"As a community we're working hard to fight child abuse for children that have been born," said March for Life spokeswoman, Sargia Harrison. "But when are we going to, as a community, speak up for the silent unborn citizens of our country and say - enough with the killing?"

"It is imperative that we all take a strong stand against child abuse, whether it occurs before or after birth. If we place a low value on pre-born babies, then at the end of the day, this attitude will impact on the value we place on all human life. It is a very dangerous way to go."

"It's time to stand up for the mothers who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation. It's time for guys in New Zealand to stand up and support their wives, partners and girlfriends. A crisis pregnancy is a really scary thing for so many women, so instead of forcing them into a corner where they feel abortion is the only way out, we need to offer women real alternatives. We want women to be able to make a truly informed decision," she said.

The inaugural March for Life started in Christchurch's Cathedral Square following short speeches from a number of Christchurch high school students on the need for the young people of New Zealand to value life and speak up against abortion.

Rallying underneath the Bridge of Remembrance, President of Prolife Canterbury, Lydia Moore, spoke of the Family Planning Association's application for a license to commit abortions with RU 486, chemically killing pre-born babies up to 9 weeks gestation.

“The Bridge of Remembrance serves as a memorial for us so that we never forget the sacrifice made by New Zealand men and women who fought for our freedom,” said twenty-two-year-old Sargia Harrison. “They sacrificed their lives for us to protect the innocent – why are we turning around and killing New Zealand's most vulnerable, pre-born citizens?”

“It was great to see so many young people at New Zealand's inaugural March for Life,” Harrison said.
“Young Kiwis are standing up against the complacency of our society which has created a culture of death, allowing abortion to kill so many of their own generation.”

The March for Life was supported by New Zealand Family First, Right to Life New Zealand, Focus on the Family, Family Life International, Prolife NZ and Stop Family Planning NZ.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is "not to be trusted" when she says abortion will not be liberalised in Queensland, according toVictorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn.

Mr Finn addressed more than 800 pro-life supporters at Brisbane’s Rally for Life last weekend. According to the Catholic Leader, the march was predominantly peaceful, although one of 28 pro-abortion protesters was arrested for failing to obey police orders to stay away from the guest speakers' Queens Park stage.

Other speakers included Cherish Life Queensland state president Teresa Martin and Toowoomba GP and Queensland secretary of the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life Dr David van Gend.

Ms Martin said Mr Finn in his speech said "exactly such an undertaking as Anna Bligh's (not to decriminalise abortion) was given in Victoria". "Mr Finn said, despite this undertaking, within months the pro-abortion legislation was 'done and dusted'," Ms Martin said.

"Not one amendment out of 60 proposed was allowed - not even the one that proposed that doctors and nurses should have a conscience vote in such matters."

Ms Martin said it was "alarming" to think such legislation could be passed in Queensland or "anywhere else for that matter".

Laws introduced in Victoria requiring doctors and nurses to assist with abortions could eventually be introduced in Queensland, one speaker warned.

"Never before in history have doctors been at the whim of their patients," Ms Martin commented.

A 6000-signature petition against decriminalisation of abortion was also presented to State Member for Beaudesert Aidan McLindon.

At the conclusion of the rally hundreds of balloons with pro-life slogans such as "Cherish Life" were released.

The organisations sponsoring the rally included Cherish Life Queensland, Right to Life Australia, Australian Family Association, Family Voice Australia, Lutherans for Life, Catholic Medical Guild of St Luke, Fertility Care, National Civic Council and the John Paul II Centre for Family and Life.

Congratulations to Cherish Life Queensland for the amazing work they have done in 2009. On an unpopular and challenging issue like abortion, they are certainly doing great things to defend and protect life. See below.
 
 CHERISH LIFE has:
 
-  Held a "Rally For Life" jointly with a number of other groups in Brisbane with 1100 attending to raise awareness of the implications of the laws being passed in Victoria so that everyone will do more to prevent a similar legislative move here in Queensland.
 
-  Strongly supported any politician or candidate who stood for pro-life values in the March state elections.  Our members particularly helped with support prior to polling day by letterboxing and on the day, manning polling booths for pro-life sitting members and candidates
 
-  Petitioned against any negative impact to the value of human life that arose in parliament.
 
-  Encouraged letter-writing campaigns amongst our members
 
-  Had a stand at the "Pregnancy, Babies, Children Expo" held in Brisbane over 3 days
 
-  Continued attending 2 local Chamber of Commerce groups monthly functions and also a local Business group to raise awareness of the abortion issue amongst local businesses
 
-  Participated in InterAgency meetings in our area.  These meetings involve many community groups across a broad range of areas of service.
 
-  Presented to 400 second year medical students at the University of Queensland on the topic of euthanasia
 
-  Addressed the "Dying with Dignity" group in Brisbane (can you believe it?) upon their invitation on the topic of euthanasia
 
-  Did numerous interviews with university students and high school students for their assignments covering stem cells, euthanasia and abortion
 
-  Spoke in churches prior to the election to help congregations realise how church and state do, must and can mix - noone goes in to parliament with no values.  If those values are not formed and supported by their faith, what are they formed by? 
 
-  Travelled to a number of our branches to discuss the recent legislative changes to Section 282 of the Criminal Code
 
-  Billboards up around Queensland due to our hardworking branches
 
-  Submitted a submission against surrogacy
 
-  Wrote to all politicians urging them to vote against surrogacy
 
-  Participated in numerous interviews for radio (including Cairns, Caboolture, Brisbane and Sydney radio stations), TV (including 7.30 Report on the ABC, Ch 9 and Ch 10 news) and the pressboth online and hardcopy on a range of pro-life issues.
 
-  Issued many press releases and wrote many letters to the editor of the major papers
 
-  Had a number of opinion pieces printed in The Courier-Mail
 
-  Debated Jim Soorley of Voluntary Euthanasia on Caboolture Radio
 
-  Spoke at both the DLP and Family First conferences over the past 16 months
 
-  Started 2 new Cherish Life branches, reactivated another one established contact people in a number of areas
 
-  Numerous speaking engagements presenting to both high and primary schools to give them information about their worth and value as it is only if they understand their worth and value that they will appreciate the worth and value of an unborn baby including education about the reality of life in the womb and the real destructive fallout of abortion on both women and men.
 
-  Held a movie night for our members screening "22 Weeks" - a true story of a young women who had an abortion at 22 weeks
 
-  Held our Cherish Life Conference at Parliament House with numerous speakers including Kevin Rosengren - 2008 Father of the Year, Anne Webster - winner of the
award for Best Presentation of a Research Proposal: ‘Options for resolution of unplanned pregnancy and fetal personhood’ and Dr Janet Gross - doctor from the Dandenongs Victoria who refuses to refer for abortion against great pressure to do so.

-  Hosted Angel Soto, the writer, producer, director and editor of "22 Weeks" to come to Australia from Puerto Rico to speak about the how the movie came about and why he felt compelled to make it.

-  Organised for Angel Soto to be interviewed on 2 radio stations

-  Attended and organised numerous meetings in Queensland with other prolife pro-family groups to strategise against a state move towards legalised abortion

-  Attended interstate meetings with pro-life pro-family groups to strategise to prevent a federal move to liberalise abortion

-  Constantly sent out emails with updates and action requirements to keep people motivated and informed

-  Held our Annual Cherish Life Fundraising Dinner to raise money and awareness for the pro-life cause in general and Cherish Life in particular.

-  Currently planning our "Rally For Life" for March 2010

Life Network Australia co-founder and President, Sonja Couroupis, was one of a small number speakers to address a rally against abortion on the steps of the Victorian Parliament last weekend.

             
The rally was organised to mark the first anniversary of the passing of legislation that made many changes to abortion legislation, including access to abortion until birth.
 
Others speakers including leader of the National Party, Peter Ryan and the event's organiser, Bernie Finn, Liberal MP.
 
Each of the speakers criticised the changes and emplored the need for coordinated and unrelenting pressure to improve protection for society's most vulnerable.
 
The invitation extended to Sonja Couroupis by the event's organising committee is recognition of both the positive contribution Life Network Australia has made to informing people of the many issues related to abortion and the prospects of similar legislation being put forward in NSW.
 
The event was supported by over 2,000 people, who marched through the city centre, then gathered on the steps of Parliament to voice their united opposition to the new abortion laws.
 
Mrs Couroupis of Deniliquin highlighted the negative impact abortion has on babies, mothers, fathers and families and that they all deserve better support and options to keep their children.
 
Facebookers can view footage of Sonja at the rally here.

            

(from LifeSiteNews May 14, 2009)