Wednesday, February 20, 2008

From FidesNews:

AMERICA/MEXICO - Thousands of Mexicans attend the National Day for Life and the Family. 100, 000 signatures in support of Human Rights for the Unborn

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - This past Sunday, February 17, a gathering and parade was held for the first Festival for Life within the National Day for Life and the Family in Mexico, organised by the civil organisation Human Rights for the Unborn, in representation of almost 60 other civil associations. Close to 50,000 people turned out in the various city streets and squares all of over the country. Participants of the various States of the Republic dressed in white and red, symbol of purity and love for children. The purpose of the celebration was to request that the government respect, through laws, the fundamental right to life for all Mexicans, from the moment of conception until natural death. One of the goals was also to collect signatures in support of the Declaration of the Human Rights of the Unborn, which on this day alone reached a total of 100,000 signatures. These signatures will be presented to the Mexican authorities, including the Supreme Court of Justice, the Committees for Human Rights on both a state and national level, the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District, and the Cabinet members, so that they might abolish the laws that violate rights of the unborn and that they prevent further similar laws from being approved.
In the capital, there were about 2,000 people, according to event organisers, gathered in celebration of life from conception until natural death, in order to "raise our voices for those whose mothers' wombs have become their tombs." Some artistic and cultural activities previously scheduled were unable to take place due to difficulties placed by the city police. However, this was not an obstacle in allowing people to read the Human Rights of the Unborn, whose text was distributed by attendants in leaflet form.
According to organisers of the event, "this will not be the only event of its kind. Over the course of the year, we will continue to demonstrate in various ways our love and appreciation for life, making these known in due time." (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/08; righe 26; parole 339)