View photos from the Rally here

We’re just back from Spain where we joined with more than 1.5 million people in a simply colossal Rally for Life in Madrid. At our July rally in Dublin we heard from Marta Serranillos, a member of one of the organizing groups. Derecho a Vivir and we decided that a contingent from Ireland should go to Madrid to stand in solidarity with the Spanish pro-life movement.

The sheer size of the crowd was breathtaking - upwards of 1.5 million people speaking up for life is truly a sight to behold. Huge numbers of young families and students were present and the atmosphere was upbeat and joyful. We were warmly welcomed by the Spanish people, who said that their aim was to be like Ireland; to be abortion-free. On spotting the Irish flag many marchers thanked us for travelling to be part of the rally and we joined in the singing, dancing and chanting as we marched alongside them in unseasonally warm October sunshine.

At the march we met up with members of Youth Defence Espana, and their spokesman Séamus Mac Mathúna was interviewed live by Spanish national television, where he said that it was important for pro-life groups to work together, on a national and international level.

The Rally was called in opposition to plans by the Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to introduce abortion on demand. Most controversially, the draft law currently before parliament would also permit girls aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without their parents' knowledge. As the huge crowd marched, they chanted together: "Zapatero! Stand down!", "Avorto No! Vida Si!". The main theme for the rally was "Cada Vida Importa - Every life matters" and this was emblazoned across an enormous 2-storey tall banner. It took the huge crowd nearly 3 hours to move from Peurto del Sol to the end point at Peurto de Alcalá. We were hugely impressed by the passion, energy and dedication of the rally attendees who had literally travelled for hours from the four corners of Spain to be there. Trains were literally booked up on the day! Young and old alike waved flags, danced and chanted for hours on end and made our short flight to Madrid seem like nothing. If the Spanish organise a follow-up event, the Youth Defece contingent will be the first ones there!

A great many organisations came together to make the Rally such a success, and it was also supported by several political parties. However, many marchers pointed out that the main opposition party, the People’s Party had done little to rid Spain of abortion during their terms in power. “If the PP takes office again we will hold them to the statements they made here at this march,” one activist Ana Cabeza told us. “But many pro-life people feel their track record means they are not to be trusted. The Socialists are dreadful, but the PP is not, in practice, much better.”

It was wonderful to be in Spain and to be part of this huge, colourful and determined expression of pro-life opposition to abortion. Following on from our Rally for Life, it brought the realization that the pro-life movement is very much alive and kicking, and co-operating to best protect mothers and babies.

View these youtube videos for more on the rally