A local March for Life took place in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 24, 2023, just a week before the date set for Slovakian Parliamentary elections.
The main motto for the event was “I Vote Life.” It was organized mainly by the Ladislav Hanus Institute, The Institute of Human Rights and Family Policy, and the Association for Life and Family. The Archdiocese of Bratislava was a main sponsor of the March.
One of the organizers, Tomáš Kováčik from the Association for Life and Family, commented by saying: “We are very pleased that 3,000 citizens of Slovakia came to the event to express their pro-life stance, for the protection of unborn children and their mothers from the risks of abortion…. We appeal to politicians to be a courageous voice for the unborn and their mothers.”
According to an emailed press release translated to English, Juraj Šúst from the Ladislav Hanus Institute said, “We have told the whole of Slovakia, including politicians and candidates in the elections, that the life of unborn children must be protected in the same way as we protect the life of people already born. We are making this just demand to society at a time when we are deciding the character of our country. We are asking citizens to vote according to their values as well.”
Patrik Daniška of the Institute for Human Rights and Family Policy added, “… We marched today peacefully but determinedly for the smallest among us and we are saying clearly that we will not be afraid, that we will not stop defending them,” pointing out that protecting the vulnerable means they must have legal protections and their families must have access to tangible resources and financial help so that they can feel empowered to choose life.
The event had various speakers from the United Kingdom and from Slovakia among others, including Dr. Calum and Lois Miller from the UK, author Rod Dreher from the U.S., Archbishop Stanislav Zvolenský, and Bishop Jozef Haľko. After the speeches the crowd marched through the city, passing under Michael’s Gate and ending at Freedom Square.
Overall, it was considered a great event that helped create awareness and urgency, by sending a message to politicians in particular that many citizens in Slovakia want full protections for preborn children and their mothers.
