FREDERICTON, NB, May 23, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Organizers of the March for Life held in Fredericton said they were thrilled by the turnout of pro-lifers from across the province at this year's event on May 16.
“It was a great success”, Peter Ryan, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Right to Life Association, told LifeSiteNews.com. “Similar to the national event, ours grows each year.”
Busloads of supporters came from Bathurst, Saint John, and Moncton, while pro-life individuals and families with young children came from as far away as Dalhousie, Lameque, Edmundston, and from many other parts of the province.
Ryan said more than 400 people took part in the day’s events, which included two prayer services for life – at Brunswick Street Baptist Church and St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church – a rally at the Legislature, a walk through downtown streets, and a prayer vigil near the Morgentaler abortion facility.
“This year we added a march through the streets, and a Protestant prayer service,” he said. “We also added the euthanasia problem to our agenda of public concerns.”
Two MLAs, Liberal Bill Fraser and Conservative Jack Carr, attended the March and greeted the rally on behalf of their caucuses.
“The walk was a first-time event, and went very smoothly. Pro-abortion demonstrators greeted the marchers in front of Morgentaler’s, but were thankfully respectful in their behaviour”, he said.
“Ninety-year-old Winnie Kierstead told how she was almost aborted. Because her mother chose life, many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were subsequently given the gift of life,” he said.
Thaddée Renault spoke eloquently on the march theme, “From Womb to Tomb: Respect Human Life.”
“He expressed concern that if Quebec legalizes euthanasia this year, as planned, the killing of sick, elderly and disabled persons will slowly but surely make its way to New Brunswick”, Ryan said.
Organizers reported that the March received a fair amount of media coverage.
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“But”, said Ryan, “the quality of reporting left much to be desired. Once again the media’s apparent math handicap was on display, as Global TV reported 'about 100' at the event, while the Daily Gleaner said 'dozens' marched.”
At the close of the event organizer Peter Ryan expressed gratitude to the “more than 50 volunteers” who helped with the event. He also thanked the Legislature and City for their cooperation.
He commented how even the weather cooperated, contrary to forecasts of rain. He said he found the entire day “an outpouring of grace from the God of life.”
The provincial Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s League co-sponsored the March along with New Brunswick Right to Life.
With its first March held in 2000, New Brunswick was the first province to begin holding a regional march in conjunction with the National March in Ottawa.