Scottish Catholic Observer

Pro-life campaigners will gather in Edinburgh tomorrow at an event now expected to be met by a counter-protest from pro-abortion supporters.

The annual pro-life chain marks the anniversary of the implementation of the 1967 Abortion Act on April 27, 1968.

The activists will gather in Sacred Heart Church for a Rosary led by Mgr Philip Kerr followed by an address from John Deighan, the recently appointed new Chief Executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Scotland.

A chain will be formed on Lothian Road opposite Usher Hall, with the counter-protest by the group Abortion Rights in Edinburgh taking place directly opposite.

Last year, around 90 people took part in the chain, which was also met with a small counter-protest.

Lynn Murray of the Edinburgh branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Scotland, said she hopes the event will leave a big impression on people and make them think about the issue of abortion.

“You can’t really change people’s mind, but if you make them think about it that’s something because it’s more dangerous when they are not thinking about,” she said. “It’s not something I like to do—go and stand in the street!—but if it makes people think then that’s what we are here for; we are not here to force our opinions down people’s throats but to make people think about the issue.”

The pro-life chain will take place on April 25 between 11am-1pm on Lothian Road in Edinburgh across from Usher Hall, with a service beforehand at 10am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston. Campaigners have asked for as many people as possible to come and support the pro-life cause.

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