Lisa Johnson - Yesterday .
Edmonton Journal
An annual anti-abortion rally brought the fight to the steps of the legislature Thursday amid heightened political tensions.
© Provided by Edmonton Journa
lProtesters on both sides of the abortion debate clash during a March for Life rally that drew an estimated 200 to the Alberta legislature grounds in Edmonton, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Parliament Hill in Ottawa saw a similar rally, but this year the events came on the heels of reports that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the landmark Roe V. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
With an estimated 200 people at least, the crowd wasn’t as big as it was during the March for Life in 2019 , when between 800 and 1,000 people gathered at the legislature grounds.
UCP MLA for Peace River Dan Williams, who has called himself pro-life, Catholic church leaders and advocates spoke at the event. Many attendees chanted and held placards that said “choose life” while counter-protesters blasted music and carried their own signs, including one that said “mind your own uterus,” leading to some tense confrontations.
ABOLISH THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES CHARITY STATUS FOR POLITICKING
Parliament Hill in Ottawa saw a similar rally, but this year the events came on the heels of reports that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the landmark Roe V. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
With an estimated 200 people at least, the crowd wasn’t as big as it was during the March for Life in 2019 , when between 800 and 1,000 people gathered at the legislature grounds.
UCP MLA for Peace River Dan Williams, who has called himself pro-life, Catholic church leaders and advocates spoke at the event. Many attendees chanted and held placards that said “choose life” while counter-protesters blasted music and carried their own signs, including one that said “mind your own uterus,” leading to some tense confrontations.
ABOLISH THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES CHARITY STATUS FOR POLITICKING
Rev. Dean Dowle, pastor at the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, encouraged attendees to push provincial politicians for legal change.
“Please call or email your local MLA to register your support for legislation that protects children as our future citizens and honours the frail and elderly with the health care they have earned,” said Dowle, while counter-protesters yelled “my body my choice” nearby.
© Ed Kaiser/Postmedia
Sheriffs try to keep the pro-choice and pro-life supporters apart at a pro-life rally drawing an estimated 200 supporters to the Alberta legislature in Edmonton, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Attendee Chris Taylor held a sign that read “defend the poor and fatherless,” and said he believes abortion equates to ending human life. “It’s not something we should just stand by and ignore,” he told Postmedia.
NDP women’s issues critic Janis Irwin told Postmedia she was silently expressing her pro-choice position, carrying a large sign that said “I can’t believe I still have to protest this s–t.”
She said the event shows reproductive rights continue to be under threat.
“Women and other folks who access abortion need to know that they are valued, they’re loved. And, we — an NDP government — will do all we can to ensure access to abortion in this province,” said Irwin.
The event comes after an amendment passed on a proposed Alberta labour bill offering unpaid bereavement leave on Wednesday.
After critics, including Irwin, had called for the bill to explicitly offer time off for abortion and termination for medical reasons, Labour Minister Kaycee Madu said the revised language will cover all situations involving pregnancy loss, including abortion and termination for medical reasons.
lijohnson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/reportrix
Attendee Chris Taylor held a sign that read “defend the poor and fatherless,” and said he believes abortion equates to ending human life. “It’s not something we should just stand by and ignore,” he told Postmedia.
NDP women’s issues critic Janis Irwin told Postmedia she was silently expressing her pro-choice position, carrying a large sign that said “I can’t believe I still have to protest this s–t.”
She said the event shows reproductive rights continue to be under threat.
“Women and other folks who access abortion need to know that they are valued, they’re loved. And, we — an NDP government — will do all we can to ensure access to abortion in this province,” said Irwin.
The event comes after an amendment passed on a proposed Alberta labour bill offering unpaid bereavement leave on Wednesday.
After critics, including Irwin, had called for the bill to explicitly offer time off for abortion and termination for medical reasons, Labour Minister Kaycee Madu said the revised language will cover all situations involving pregnancy loss, including abortion and termination for medical reasons.
lijohnson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/reportrix
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