CAPETONIANS DEMONSTRATE FOR THE RIGHT TO LIFE

About two hundred and fifty people took part in today's protest (Sunday, 1 October) against the ongoing killing of unborn babies in South Africa. The demonstration, which was held at the entrance to the Victoria +ACY- Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town was part of 'International Life Chain Day' which is expected to draw over one million participants in nine hundred locations worldwide.

Media spokesperson Verushka Louw of Africa Christian Action said that public response had been positive, with motorists stopping to take literature, hooting support and holding their thumbs up as they drove past. Nevertheless one man had shouted 'Abortion is my choice' at protesters. Commenting on the recent legalisation of the RU486 pill to kill unborn babies in America, she said that South Africans needed to fight to prevent its legalisation here. The RU486 pill destroys the placenta, cutting off the baby's oxygen supply and suffocating the child.

African Christian Democratic Party justice spokesperson, Steve Swart MP said +ACI-We support the doctors and nurse who are refusing to do abortion as recently indicated at the parliamentary hearings on abortion. I have brought my children along, because we want the rights of children to be protected. We find it unacceptable that the unborn children's God given human rights are not recognised by our law.+ACI-

Children at the protest and those in passing cars were given balloons marked with the slogans 'Love them both - choose life' and 'Children are precious'.

Matthew Pute of Africa Christian Action, one of the organisers said 'As Christians, it is our responsibility to speak up for those who can't speak up for themselves. I am very encouraged to see Christians from all denominations participating. We also want to thank all those who brought baby products to give to local Crisis Pregnancy centres and the Talitha Orphanage for AIDS babies'.

At a rally held after the demonstration, Zambian prolife activist Pastor John Jere encouraged the crowd to continue helping mothers and saving children's lives. Rev Peter Hammond said that prolifers should be encouraged that the Department of Health was failing in its implementation of abortion on demand because of opposition from healthworkers.