OTTAWA, ON May 11, 2011 – The Catholic Civil Rights League, long-time supporter of the national March for Life, thanks all march participants for the important witness they are providing in calling for greater protection for human life from conception to natural death.
“The League has been involved in civil rights issues for over 25 years, and we regard the right to life as the most fundamental of all rights,” said Joanne McGarry, League executive director. “It’s the basis of all the other important rights and freedoms. Because of that, it’s gratifying to see so many young people involved with the march, and with pro-life work in general.”
While the march tends to be best-known for a focus on abortion, and the fact that Canada is the only country in the western world with no legal restriction on it, the spectrum of life issues has broadened in recent years. We have seen efforts to legalize euthanasia introduced in Parliament, and stem cell research continues to raise numerous ethical questions.
The League has been active in debate on those subjects, and has also supported student pro-life groups that have faced restrictions on their activities at several campuses. The march is a sign that for many Canadians, life issues are not the closed subject that some may wish them to be.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca