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Thousands of people have staged a silent demonstration at Stormont over the planned liberalization of abortion laws in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nThousands of people have staged a silent demonstration at Stormont over the planned liberalization of abortion laws in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Protesters gathered at the front gates of the estate before walking up Prince of Wales Avenue to Parliament Buildings.<\/p>\n
They stood there in silence, with heads bowed and holding lights, for six minutes, to represent the six counties in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Arlene Foster and UUP leader Robin Swann were among the crowd, which was estimated to number 4,000.<\/p>\n
In July, UK MPs passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act, which contained a provision placing a duty on the Government to regulate to provide for access to abortion in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
It comes into effect if the Stormont executive is not restored by October 21, with regulations required to be in place by the end of March 2020.<\/p>\n
The NI Voiceless initiative was set up by citizens opposed to the move, and says the people of Northern Ireland were not consulted.<\/p>\n
It claims there is no support for the planned liberalization of the region\u2019s abortion laws.<\/p>\n
One of the organizers, Sarah Crutchley, described the movement as a \u201cgroup of ordinary concerned citizens who came together and decided it was time to take a stand against the decision made by Westminster.”<\/p>\n