Up to 10,000 people rallied to stop abortion bill in New South Wales

Written by Jane Landon. Jane is a supporter of Right to Life Australia who was very active during our Federal Election campaign in Bennelong Electorate. Picture by Aleshia Fewster.

Pro-life protestors gathered for a vigil at Martin Place, Sydney on Tues 20 August 2019 at 6pm. The rally was to oppose the abortion bill being debated in Parliament House. It was fantastic to see so many people gathering for such an event. Estimate of crowd in attendance was up to 10,000 people, potentially the biggest turnout ever for a pro-life rally in Sydney.

It was such a positive and uplifting feeling to be at the vigil - there was a collective desire for political change. People became united with strangers they had never met before and there was a shared camaraderie. Everyone was joined together in a unity to do something to save the lives of unborn babies. The crowd were united in their outrage at the proposals of the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 before NSW Parliament.

There were a number of speakers who all gave excellent presentation including leaders of religious groups- Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher, the Melkite Greek Catholic Bishop Robert Rabbat, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Makarios, Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies, and the Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian.

New South Wales state politicians also addressed the rally including Greg Donnelly MLC and Damien Tudehope MLC. They were followed by the CEO of NSW Right to Life, Dr Rachel Carling then Mr Martyn Iles, Managing Director Australian Christian Lobby. Federal Nationals MP Hon Barnaby Joyce gave a tremendous finale to the programme.

We walked to NSW Parliament House where I could hear some young men beating drums to support the protestors. It was a very powerful and supportive feeling to be there – all united to voice our opposition to abortion up to birth.