An estimated 10,000 people marched through Central London on Saturday calling for an end to abortion in the UK.
Pro-life supporters united under the banner ‘Human Rights for All Humans’ in support for the unborn, their parents, those who pray silently outside abortion centres or go there to offer help to expectant mothers.
In the UK, abortion is currently permitted for most reasons up to 24 weeks, and up to birth if the unborn child is deemed to have a disability. When the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill becomes law, inducing a miscarriage outside of these exemptions will no longer be a crime for the mother.
Just cause
Co-director of March for Life UK Isabel Vaughan-Spruce said she was encouraged that such a diverse group of people were putting aside differences “in recognition of the value of every life from conception”.
She added: “the pro-life crowd exemplified the peace and joy of those who are confident that that their cause is just, and their hope is rooted in something greater than politics”.
Fellow Co-Director Ben Thatcher noted: “More and more people are recognising the reasonableness and consistency behind the pro-life movement.
“For us to care about human rights in any capacity, we must start by valuing life itself and that means the right to life of all – no one is too small, too young or too dependent that their life is not valuable, and that right needs to be protected in law.”
Public witness
MP Carla Lockhart spoke at the event, stating: “If human rights mean anything they must be consistent, they must apply to all. If we are to see change, we must each play our part.”
Theologian Dr Aaron Edwards said the march was a “public witness in the hope of having the stain of abortion removed from our land”. He called for people to pray for an end to abortion, saying “God is good and God is listening”.
Evangelist Glen Scrivener also spoke, explaining: “Most people haven’t even begun to consider the scale of the issue. Globally, we kill more people in utero than who die ex utero”.
Human Rights Summit
The event was preceded by a Pro-life Human Rights Summit with a legal panel and live interviews.
The Institute’s In-house Solicitor Sam Webster, who was part of the legal panel at the Summit, said: “The protection of the unborn child raises the most profound human rights questions, so Saturday’s event was an invaluable opportunity to consider those implications.
“It was heartening to see so many who are committed to making a stand for life”.
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