Poll shows that IrishCentral readers would welcome an anti-abortion group being represented in the 2020 New York St. Patrick's Day parade
Following the anti-abortion protest and request by Irish Pro-Life USA that their group is represented in the 2020 New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade we asked our readers what they thought, whether the pro-life group should be given official permission to march? Of the 97 readers who responded 80 said “Yes” while only 15 answered “No”.
This year, on March 16, as the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched up Fifth Avenue pro-life groups held banners protesting the passing of Ireland’s abortion referendum in 2017. The protest organized by Irish Pro-Life USA, included members of Students for Life of America, Expectant Mother Care/EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers in New York and others.
Irish Pro-Life USA organizer later told the Irish Voice that “The parade organizers must, as an urgent matter, admit a pro-life unit into the parade’s line of march.”
Read more: Pro-life groups want to march in NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade
IrishCentral’s survey results show the complexity of the issue.
Here’s a breakdown of the votes:
Poll results.
While a clear majority of readers would see an anti-abortion group march in the parade the comments left by those who voted show the diversity and difference in opinion.
These are just a selection of the comments left:
Against –
- “No politics one way or the other.”
- “Celebrating Irish culture is not about politics. Don't make this parade a platform for politics. Remember, the parade is a celebration!”
- “It has nothing to do with celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.”
- “Completely inappropriate. Same people who say "can't feed em don't breed em" . This is not a protest it's a parade!”
- “They only care about the fetus, they don't give a shit about the child after its birth.”
- “It would deeply insulting and offensive to all women and completely at odds with the overwhelming majority of Irish citizens who recently voted in favor of reproductive rights for women.”
For -
- “If the LGBT community can march then so should anyone
- “Freedom of speech
- “St. Patrick's day celebrates the life and work of the saint bringing the Catholic faith to Ireland. This faith declares all life is precious- we are all made in God's image.[sic]”
- “Because we need to change our culture of death.”
- “Notwithstanding recent events, Catholicism is an intrinsic part of Ireland and being pro-life(whether against capital punishment or abortion) is one of its foremost tenets.”
- “Why shouldn't they?!? If they were pro-"choice", there would be no question.”
- “It would be representative of a long tradition in Ireland of valuing unborn life, one which has been recently lost but many in America still carry the torch for.”
- “Because St. Patrick would be disgusted otherwise. A Parade centered around an Catholic Saint should allow a Catholic group.”
- “They represent deep convictions of a sector of the American population. I think it's only right to allow it.”
Where do you stand? Would you like to see an anti-abortion group marching in the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade 2020? Let us know in the comments section below.
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