MEDIA RELEASE
28 August 2013
Southlanders for Life
“Anniversary Stand for Life” at Southland Hospital –
Thursday 29th August, 11am-1pm
(Memorial to 280+ children will be erected)
The beginning of September this year marks the first 12 month period that the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) has
been performing both medical and surgical abortions in Invercargill Hospital. Using the Official Information Act, the
SDHB released to Southlanders for Life the number of abortions performed over the first eleven months which totalled
271.
It is a cause of great sadness that over the last year approximately 280+ Southland babies have had their lives taken.
The SDHB failed to consult with the community at any level over the introduction of abortion services locally, which it
was duty bound to do according to its own rules.
Unfortunately the SDHB has refused to listen to a strong voice in the community and with Health Board elections to be
held next month we would very much like to know if those standing to represent the community will in fact at least voice
our concerns at Board level.
To mark the first year anniversary of the abortion clinic there will be a public demonstration against abortion and the
harm it does to women and our nation on Thursday 29th August 2013, 11am -1pm outside Southland Hospital.
During the demonstration, which has been very widely promoted throughout Southland, a very significant, poignant and
somewhat provocative memorial will be erected to honour the 280+ nameless babies who have had their lives taken by
abortion in our Hospital over the past year.
Fr Vaughan Leslie
Southlanders for Life
“Southlanders for Life” was formed as a group in Southland when the SDHB decided to perform abortions in Invercargill
mid-2012. We are committed to respecting the human rights of all people born and unborn and advocating for this in ways
that are peaceful and non-violent