March for Life supporters make their way through downtown Whitehorse, with counter protesters close behind
WHITEHORSE, YT – Dozens of passionate Yukoners lined the sidewalks of Elliot Street on Thursday, May 9th, as supporters of the March for Life movement gathered at the Old Log Church, and a counter-protest which outnumbered them took shape across the street.
March for Life is an international pro-life movement with chapters across the United States and Canada. The Whitehorse event was a show of solidarity with other March for Life rallies taking place around the world, and a national March for Life event planned to take place in Ottawa this month.
According to the March for Life’s Canadian website, the movement’s stated goal is to demand “that our elected representatives fight for the right to life of every human being”. Supporters of the movement rally during the month of May to decry the decriminalization of abortion in Canada in 1969 by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
Bret Harper, Bound4Life Whitehorse Chapter leader, acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the Whitehorse March for Life and he says the movement is meant to give a voice to the voiceless by advocating for the unborn who don’t yet have a voice to advocate for themselves.
“We represent those voices in a prayerful and peaceful manner in our demonstrations and in our walks. We’re just contending for life and people’s desire to see life flourish…. What would an unborn life say if it could have a say?” – Bret Harper, Bound4Life Whitehorse Chapter Leader
As the March for Life made its way through the streets of downtown Whitehorse the pro-choice counter-protesters were hot on their heels, hoisting signage that drew attention to women’s rights to bodily autonomy, and others pointing to the complex realities of pregnancy and the health concerns of expectant mothers that are often overlooked.
Many of the counter-protesters we’re relieved to see such a strong showing of support for abortion rights.
“There’s so many people supporting women’s rights and our freedoms for our bodies… It’s amazing” – Anonymous counter-protester
NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre Lane Tredger was among the ranks of the counter-protesters. MLA Tredger said they were also inspired by the turnout of the counter-protest, calling it a sign of strong support for abortion rights in the Yukon, something the NDP has long supported
“I’m so proud to see so many people here to stand up for abortion rights, and abortion access in the Yukon. It shows that it’s really important to our community, and that’s a value that we’re going to stand by” – Lane Tredger, NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre
