Yesterday afternoon between 2 pm-3 pm, Pro-Choice members gathered on Fanshawe Park Road East and Richmond Street to protest against the Life Chain silent vigil that was put on by the Pro-Life organization in London.
While the Pro-Life members gathered on one end of the street with posters and chanted prayers together to put an end to abortion laws in the country, Pro-Choice members gathered across them playing drums and protesting against them.
A Pro-Choice member screamed, “You think a clump of cells has the same rights as me. We will never agree.”
Carol Pete, co-founder of the Dula service in London says that its an important conversation to be had because it’s simply about reproductive rights being human rights and every woman needs to have the right over their body. “Women have always had to fight for every single thing and we should not have to fight for our bodies and autonomy.”, said Pete.
Deanna Ronson, a member of the Pro-Choice organization who helped in organizing the protest says, there is a huge push for the 40-day vigil all across North America.
“I thought it was important for London to have a local turn out to counter-protest these anti- choicers and force birthers and we need to make it known that our side is not a minority, that we have a very strong voice and there is no debate because abortion is health care.”, said Ronson.
Across the street, none of the Pro-Life members wanted to speak as they wanted to honor their silent vigil.
A Fanshawe Psychology student, Jack Wright who was in the area to celebrate his birthday said he was sickened by the sight of kids being at the protest. “Do they really know what they are protesting? Seeing this just makes me sick, it’s just selfish. As a Londoner, to see people this invested in shining those who should have a choice. Look at how many males are out here, its sickening.”
The 40-day vigil for life takes place every year between September 25th -November 3rd.
