Protesters ambushed the annual March for the Babies in Melbourne on October 12, in a violent and ugly display that left several people injured.
More than 3,000 people, including children and the elderly, gathered for the annual pro-life walk through the streets of Melbourne, but were met by a group of about 50 protesters coming in the other direction.
Police stood between the two groups for about an hour, and although the pro-lifers had a permit to march and had pre-booked the event, they were forced to turn around to finish their march.
The March for the Babies has been held annually since 2009, commemorating the passing of the Abortion Law Reform Act in 2008, calling for the law to be repealed.
During the peaceful march, which received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI last year, those present recited the rosary and sang hymns.
Deputy chairman of March for the Babies Dan Flynn said while he respected the views of the protestors, the recourse to violence was unnecessary.
“Every group has the right to lawful assembly and free speech, but no group has a right to violently attack such a lawful assembly with abuse and violence,” he said.
American pro-life activist and international speaker Bryan Kemper used social media to relay what was happening during the march.
“Near riot situation; we are being attacked as we march. Prayers please. Very bad. I’ve been hit many times already,” he posted on Facebook.
“They are surrounding us. Police won’t arrest them. I am in front protecting our people. This is the craziest thing ever… This is scary.”
Several Catholic priests took part in the march, as did Victorian Senator John Madigan and Liberal MP Jan Kronberg.
Chairman of March for the Babies and member of the Legislative Council Bernie Finn said participants were “basically mugged” by protesters.
“What ensued over the next couple of hours was pretty disgraceful,” he said.
“There were assaults, and the language that was being used was straight out of hell’s kitchen, it was a pretty horrendous scene for a lot of people.”
Despite the police presence, Mr Finn said the hostility and violence continued:
“The police stood back and watched this occurring,” he alleged.
Mr Finn, whose 15-year-old daughter was hit in the face, said he would ask the Victorian Police Minister to investigate the alleged lack of protection given to the walkers in the next sitting of parliament. No arrests were made on the day.
Mr Finn claimed people, including the elderly, were punched, kicked, thrown to the ground, stomped on, and hit with various projectiles, including eggs.
“Mums with babies in prams were particularly singled out for the vilest language you can imagine, although a number of eggs did also hit them,” he said. “It was pretty distressing.”
Mr Finn said it was only the restraint of the pro-lifers that averted a “blood bath”.
“We held back and were quite vigilant in ensuring that anybody that was getting a bit hot under the collar was calmed down,” he said.
Protesters also invaded the Youth for Life dinner on October 11, but Mr Finn said both events would continue next year, as the pro-life movement seeks to repeal “the most extreme abortion law in the world”.
“It allows abortion right up until the moment of birth, it denies doctors the right of conscience, allows partial birth abortion, allows sex-selection abortion, it allows abortion for any reason at all right up until birth,” he said.
Despite the ugly scenes at the weekend, Mr Finn said the resultant media attention has been a positive outcome for the pro-life cause.
“I have been absolutely inundated over the last two days with support, not just from around Australia, but from around the world,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that right at this moment, abortion is a much bigger issue than it was a week ago. And I suppose we have our friends from the abortion coalition to thank for that.”