Sydney: On a warm September afternoon, hundreds of Sydneysiders gathered in Hyde Park to voice their opposition to what they described as “unthinkable” levels of abortion access in New South Wales. The event, organized as part of Love Sydney’s annual Walk for Life, brought together faith leaders, lawmakers, families, and pro-life advocates in a united stand for the unborn.
Participants began with speeches from leading pro-life voices before proceeding in a solemn walk through the park, many holding placards that urged the city to “Stand for Life.” Monica Doumit, director of public affairs and engagement for the Archdiocese of Sydney, drew parallels between the Sydney rally and the March for Life in Washington, D.C., which has been a symbol of pro-life advocacy for over five decades.
She reminded attendees of Nellie Gray, the founder of the U.S. march, who never lived to see the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade. “We may get the opportunity to, but we also may not,” Doumit said. “That is why, just like Nellie, we should keep walking, keep witnessing to life in the midst of a culture of death so that a generation yet unborn can praise the Lord.”
NSW parliamentarian Susan Carter MLC emphasized that abortion often fails to resolve the deeper struggles faced by women. “For most women, the problem is not simply that they are pregnant,” she explained. “It is that they are pregnant and their partner is unsupportive, or they are worried about how to pay the bills, or they are feeling scared and alone. Abortion may deal with the pregnancy, but the ‘ands’ remain. These are the issues that a compassionate society must address.”
Among the most emotional testimonies came from Ilia and Serene, parents of three, who described the immense pressure they faced to abort their daughter Reya after doctors raised concerns about possible health complications. “I remember being sent to Westmead at 30 weeks pregnant, and the external pressure became insane,” Serene said. “They questioned whether my decision not to abort was religious. I realised quickly they were trying to push me toward killing my own child.”
Ilia added that Reya, despite her challenges, has brought joy and meaning to their family. “She is living proof that abortion robs children of the chance to live. Reya has been the biggest blessing in our lives. I don’t understand how anyone can prescribe abortion as a solution when our daughter lives a brilliant life.”
Other speakers included Martyn Iles, former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, who said the pro-life struggle requires “light to be shone into a very dark place.” He noted that the prevalence of abortion worldwide represents not only a moral crisis but also a cultural one.
Joshua Rowe, NSW director for the Australian Christian Lobby, told The Catholic Weekly that the growing turnout each year reflects a shift in public sentiment. “Many are coming with their families, because we all love the life God has given us,” Rowe said. “It is crucial that Christians take a stand against abortion laws that end tens of thousands of lives in Australia each year.”
As the crowd dispersed, the atmosphere was marked by determination rather than despair. For those who marched, the rally was more than a protest; it was a commitment to continue defending the dignity of life in a society where abortion access is expanding.