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Anti-life activists marred this year’s annual peaceful March for Life protests in the United Kingdom.

Counter-protesters harassed pro-lifers, labelling them “racist, anti-gay Christian fascists” while demanding “abortion, anytime, and anywhere.”

The masked activists appeared to be led by an American, and were seemingly allowed by UK police to infiltrate, interfere, and disrupt parts of the 7 September event.

One attendee who recorded the incident was left asking,

“Why have they been allowed to get so close […]? Is this not a major security risk?”

Theologian Aaron Edwards — exiled by his Bible College for quoting the Bible online in response to the LGBTQ+ — had a front-row seat.

From the stage, he said that he saw the “counter-protesters embed themselves at the front, facing the crowd.”

“They then loudly heckled every speech and every prayer, chanting: ‘Not a baby! Clump of cells!'”

The 2024 police response was unlike 2023, where a line divided the two groups at the close of the pro-life rally.

Massive Movement

Thousands of men, women, and children seeking to end abortion, participated in the three-hour abolitionist protest.

Here is the March for life walking to Parliament Square. 10 years! Great to see such a large number of people and coalition of pro life orgs working together. Well done to:@DrCalumMiller @LoisMcLatch @March4LifeUK@ADF_UK @prolifestudents @abortionresist@GoodCounselNet… pic.twitter.com/PcP9aONwcD

— Hearts of Oak (@HeartsofOakUK) September 9, 2024

This year’s guest speakers included abortion survivor Claire Culwell and former abortion practitioner Dr Haywood Robinson, as well as pro-life advocate Dawn McEvoy, ethicist Dr Calum Miller, and fertility specialist Ira Winter.

Raising their voices in defense of life against abortion law enforcement, hundreds of pro-lifers marched ahead through the streets of London. “Abortion isn’t healthcare” slogans resounded on the lips of every participant of the annual March for Life.#abortion #prolife #london pic.twitter.com/SCHFEEjtZx

— Shalom World News (@shalomworldnews) September 8, 2024

The total number of pro-life protesters was said to be around 10,000 – up 3,000 from the previous year.

Human Dignity

Walking in solidarity with abortion abolitionists, Anglican bishop John Sherrington said,

“I’m here to witness for the good of life, and the gift of life from conception through to natural death.”

It’s very important for Christians to witness for life, he added.

This is “because today we live in a world where freedom of choice is sometimes disconnected from what is the truth.”

“I hope that our witness can speak to others about the truth about being human. The truth that begins in the womb, from conception.”

“And the gift of life that God gives until natural death,” the Bishop continued.

“I think,” he said, “witnessing to the value of that gift is really important.”

After the passing of abortion legislation, many people see abortion as “healthcare, but healthcare is always” pro-life.

“In [pro-life] healthcare, we talk about two patients. We’re talking about the mother, and we’re talking about the child.”

These are two lives, he explained.

“I would say, that healthcare is about advocating and protecting those two lives.

“The most vulnerable of which is the child in the womb.”

Talking about human dignity, Sherrington remarked that it begins with what a person is.

Human dignity is anchored in the value of human life, and what human life is, such as “what human life is as an embryo, as a foetus, and what a person is at the end of life.”

“It’s who we are.” Personhood – even in suffering, or debilitating disability – defines and gives us the gift of life, and it must be protected.

Commenting on the march, Sherrington said he was “struck by the joy of this witness.”

“I’m struck by the number of young families who are here today, and by the diversity of the people.”

He was equally encouraged by the “many passionate families who want to witness to the gift of life.”

Other high church representatives accompanying Bishop Sherrington included five Catholic bishops.

The march was partly organised by Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the UK mum who was vindicated after being arrested for praying silently in the vicinity of an abortion factory.

Isabel slammed the UK’s emerging two-tier socialist justice system, stating,

“Our most basic form of justice must apply to all, or it ceases to be justice and becomes a selective privilege.”

Reflecting Bishop Sherrington’s remarks, she said,

“Life is not a privilege to be earned, but a gift bestowed on us at conception by Almighty God.”

The theme of this year’s 10^th anniversary March for Life protest carried a blatant “Abortion isn’t healthcare” message.

Statistics published by Premier Christian News allege that the UK terminates over 250,000 children in the womb each year, and this number is increasing.

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Image courtesy of March for Life UK.