Thousands of Spaniards in 46 cities march for ‘zero abortion’

by Sofia Vazquez-Mellado

MADRID, November 18, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Thousands of Spaniards took to the streets yesterday in 46 cities throughout the country to ask the government to repeal the current abortion law and protect the life of the unborn from conception.

Using the slogan “Spain for zero abortion,” the pro-life organization Derecho a Vivir (Right to Live), called all Spanish citizens to manifest their rejection of the “scourge that is abortion,” and demand that their president, Mariano Rajoy, put an end to it “as soon as possible.”

In a press conference before the march, Gador Joya, spokeswoman for Derecho a Vivir, said: “If the Government detects a lack of social interest for this issue … it won’t do anything about it or it will do it superficially.”

“We cannot allow for abortion to be just another social health benefit in Spain,” she added.

She observed that during the current administration “240,000 boys and girls have been aborted in Spain.”

Spain’s current abortion laws were approved in 2010 by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s leftist government. Rajoy announced he would reform those laws in January 2012, but still hasn’t done so.

The current law allows for abortion up to 14 weeks gestation, up to 22 weeks if the health or life of the mother are at risk, and up until birth if the baby is found to have any “serious” defects that are “incompatible with life.”

It also allows for teenage girls to abort without their parents’ consent. Under the law the “morning-after” pill can also be bought without any medical prescription.

According to Ignacio Arsuaga, president of HazteOir.org, “every day 300 children die due to the current abortion law.”

“You can’t just stay at home. Come out the streets and join our cause,” he said to the press.

The rally reached Spaniards living abroad. Pro-life Spaniards reportedly rallied in front of embassies in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Switzerland.

Local media haven’t yet estimated an official turnout.

The rallies went peacefully except for five topless Femen activists who briefly interrupted the march in Madrid. One of the women had the slogan "abortion is sacred" painted on her body. Some pro-life demonstrators spray-painted the women red as they approached and they were later arrested without any further incident.