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Anti-abortion groups stage rally Anti-abortion groups stage rally
(about 2 hours later)
Religious and anti-abortion groups are due to stage events marking 40 years since abortion was legalised. Religious and anti-abortion groups are holding a rally to mark 40 years since abortion was legalised.
Activists will meet outside the Houses of Parliament to call for a reduction in the upper time limit for abortion. Activists met at the Houses of Parliament to call for a reduction in the upper time limit for abortion.
They will then walk to Westminster Cathedral for a service commemorating 6.7m abortions performed since 1967. They will walk to Westminster Cathedral for a service commemorating 6.7m abortions performed since 1967.
Marie Stopes International said that although abortion rates needed to come down, the 1967 act had made it safer for women to terminate pregnancies.Marie Stopes International said that although abortion rates needed to come down, the 1967 act had made it safer for women to terminate pregnancies.
TerminationsTerminations
Campaigners against abortion began their protest on Friday night when they projected the number of abortions on to the riverside face of the Houses of Parliament.Campaigners against abortion began their protest on Friday night when they projected the number of abortions on to the riverside face of the Houses of Parliament.
In the 40 years since abortion has been legal in Britain, the number of terminations taking place each year has increased from 22,000 to almost 200,000.In the 40 years since abortion has been legal in Britain, the number of terminations taking place each year has increased from 22,000 to almost 200,000.
However, on Wednesday Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government did not believe there is sufficient scientific evidence to lower the legal abortion limit of 24 weeks.However, on Wednesday Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government did not believe there is sufficient scientific evidence to lower the legal abortion limit of 24 weeks.
We believe there is increasing public concern about these latest figures Julia Millington, Alive and KickingWe believe there is increasing public concern about these latest figures Julia Millington, Alive and Kicking
Julia Millington, political co-ordinator for Alive and Kicking, the pro-life alliance organising Saturday's events, said the campaign was intended to raise awareness of the rising number of abortions and call for a change in the law.Julia Millington, political co-ordinator for Alive and Kicking, the pro-life alliance organising Saturday's events, said the campaign was intended to raise awareness of the rising number of abortions and call for a change in the law.
She said nothing had persuaded the Department of Health that survival rates had improved for extremely premature babies born before that time.She said nothing had persuaded the Department of Health that survival rates had improved for extremely premature babies born before that time.
She said: "We believe there is increasing public concern about these latest figures and we want to draw attention to this anniversary."She said: "We believe there is increasing public concern about these latest figures and we want to draw attention to this anniversary."
Lord Steel, who piloted the 1967 act, suggested he would like to see lower abortion rates, but he said there was no such thing as a "correct" number and that each case had to be considered "on its merits".Lord Steel, who piloted the 1967 act, suggested he would like to see lower abortion rates, but he said there was no such thing as a "correct" number and that each case had to be considered "on its merits".
Freedom to chooseFreedom to choose
Dr Kate Worsley, of sexual healthcare provider Marie Stopes International, agreed that more had to be done to bring rates down, such as providing better sex education and provision of contraceptives.Dr Kate Worsley, of sexual healthcare provider Marie Stopes International, agreed that more had to be done to bring rates down, such as providing better sex education and provision of contraceptives.
"But the main point is that they're safe, whereas [in] about 50% of countries in the world, women are still having unsafe abortions," she added."But the main point is that they're safe, whereas [in] about 50% of countries in the world, women are still having unsafe abortions," she added.
Dr John Parsons, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, told BBC News 24 that, above all, the act had given women choice.Dr John Parsons, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, told BBC News 24 that, above all, the act had given women choice.
"It has meant that for the last 40 years women have had the option to end pregnancies which are unplanned and which they do not wish to continue."It has meant that for the last 40 years women have had the option to end pregnancies which are unplanned and which they do not wish to continue.
"It has given them freedom and independence.""It has given them freedom and independence."