MARCH FOR LIFE: Victoria media ignore historic pro-life demo with 1,500 attending

+++  Three Victoria media outlets, all owned by huge and powerful pro-abort media corporations, have ignored an historic March for Life which attracted approximately 1,500 people to march through the streets of Victoria from City Hall to the Provincial Legislature on Thursday May 8.  The Victoria Times Colonist and CHEK TV News, both owned by the Asper family’s CanWest Global Corporation, have nothing about the event on their websites this Friday.  CFAX Radio News, owned by the Thompson family associated with the Globe and Mail newspaper of Toronto, also has nothing on the historically significant event at their website today.  ++  The first annual March for Life attracted a diverse crowd of hopeful participants from around the province, including many students, mothers with baby carriages, elderly in wheelchairs and people of all races and creeds.  Marchers carried placards distributed by the Knights of Columbus which simply stated ‘DEFEND LIFE.’  Other placards showed pictures of women with a black background, with the caption ‘I REGRET MY ABORTION.’  The parade from the rallying point in Centennial Square near City Hall was escorted down Government Street by motorcycle policemen.  One participant fell en route, but was immediately attended by fellow marchers.  ++  The crowd attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, startled shoppers and tourists who took pictures, some of whom yelled encouragement or gave the thumbs-up.  ++  Speakers at the Legislature included Heather Stilwell, a former BC Unity Party candidate, representatives from Trinity Western-Holy Redeemer College (including a trio of young musicians who greeted the marchers with Protestant hymns of glory), members of the Knights of Columbus (all dressed in classy tuxedos), members of campus pro-life groups, and the Bishop of Victoria.  ++  A somewhat vague and self-promoting letter from Senator St. Germain was read by a woman who informed the crowd that the senator was undergoing a serious operation and was therefor not able to attend.  Senator St. Germain’s letter admitted that the abortion issue was not on the agenda of the present government.  Curiously, the disappointment of many in the crowd that the present Conservative government has let the pro-life movement down by its timidity on the pro-life issues was not mentioned directly by any of the speakers, as far as I am aware.  ++  One well-known member of the Catholic media was in evidence; Steve Weatherbe, editor of the Business Examiner and freelance writer for the BC Catholic weekly newspaper was seen taking many photos, as was John Hof of Campaign LIfe Coalition, one of the organizing groups.  ++  My personal hope is that this march will broaden its scope next year to include practical suggestions as to how participants may put pressure on the government to outlaw abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, and to provide improved prenatal care and palliation.  A clear condemnation of the unjust war in Afghanistan and the execution of Canadian citizens convicted of crimes in foreign countries would also broaden the appeal of the growing movement.  +++