|
For the Media
Matt's Speech - YouTube 6/10/2008
1000s CAME - Pentecostals, Baptists, Everyone Protesting Abortion 6/10/2008
TODAY 1:45pm - Pentecostals, Baptists, Everyone Protesting Abortion 5/10/2008
1000s to Pray At Parliament Re Abortion Bill 3/10/2008
80 Hour Week Ongoing Protest on Steps of Parliament 1/10/2008
Successful Businessman Protests Daily on Steps of Parliament 25/09/2008
Media Release: embargo nil
6/10/2008
1000s CAME - Pentecostals, Baptists, Everyone Protesting Abortion
THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS united on Parliament steps yesterday to make a stand, in prayer and protest against the Abortion Law Reform Bill.
Crowd estimates ranged from 3000 -5000 people.
Contrary to TV news coverage, this was actually a different crowd to the one at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The message is clear: All the churches are deeply concerned about this issue, not just the Catholics!
People travelled from as far as South Australia and Tasmania, and buses also came from country Victoria, including Mildura.
Speakers included Bernie Finn (MLC), Jan Kronberg (MLC), Peter Kavanagh (MLC), Rob Ward (Australian Christian Lobby), Dale Stephenson & his daughter Courtney (Senior Pastor, Crossway Baptist – the 2nd largest church in Melbourne), Jenny Stokes (Salt Shakers), Lauren Grant (The Cause Australia), Anne Lastman (Victims of Abortion) and Rhonda Fiddes (a lady with cerebral palsy).
Prayers were made for MPs, mothers and fathers facing unplanned pregnancy, those hurt by abortion and most of all for the protection of unborn babies, and for the bill to be defeated.
Matthew Prince (father / businessman), also spoke, and received enthusiastic applause from the crowd, for his ongoing protest on the steps of Parliament, which has now totalled over 160 hours.
(See Matt’s blog at www.mattsprotest.com)
“As a father myself, I became a dad when my daughter was conceived and my girls are just as much my girls and a part of me as they are of my wife. I am standing for equal rights and a small group of women have taken rights that do not belong to them.”
See Matt’s speech here.
Event spokesperson, Kirsten Jack says:
“There is huge opposition to the Abortion Bill from the churches of Victoria and also Australia. For thousands of people to turn up to a prayer rally with only one week’s notice, is truly an indication of the strong support for the rights of unborn children. We hope the MPs are listening!”
Media contacts:
Information: Kirsten Jack 0421-047-864
Email: matt@mattsprotest.com
Back to top
Media Release: embargo nil
5/10/2008
TODAY 1:45pm - Pentecostals, Baptists, Everyone Protesting Abortion
THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS are coming to Parliament steps today, Sunday October 5th from 1:45-2:45pm. The message is united: ‘No to the Abortion Law Reform Bill’.
It’s a huge day of prayer about abortion!!! (Only half an hour prior, the Catholics will finish meeting at St Patrick’s for their hour of intercession for the unborn).
The momentum has been massive! Pastors are calling their whole churches to attend. Heads of denominatons, are calling their entire church networks to come. People are even travelling from South Australia, Tasmania, and church buses from country Victoria, including Mildura.
Speakers include the Honourable Bernie Finn, MP, Rob Ward (Australian Christian Lobby) and Dale Stephenson (Senior Pastor, Crossway Baptist – the largest Baptist church in Australasia).
Many of those coming have been inspired by the example of Matthew Prince (father / businessman), who has been protesting on the steps of Parliament 80 hours per week since Monday 22nd September – he is now on his 14th day. His stand for unborn babies’ rights has attracted wide attention and he has been visited by numerous MPs, church leaders and general members of the community. His sign yesterday read:
“39% of babies born at 24 weeks survive, and they have rights. What happened to the rights of an unborn 24 week baby?”
(See Matt’s blog at www.mattsprotest.com)
Event spokesperson, Kirsten Jack says:
“So far, the Catholic Church has been relatively alone in their faithful stand for the unborn. There is a strong sense now that it is time for ALL churches (Protestant and Catholic) to pray and speak up for the unborn, who cannot speak for themselves. And this is what this event is about.”
Media contacts:
Information / Interviews: Kirsten Jack 0421-047-864
Email: matt@mattsprotest.com
Back to top
Media Release: embargo nil
3/10/2008
1000s to Pray At Parliament Re Abortion Bill
Thousands of Christians will be uniting in prayer and protest on Sunday October 5th on the steps of Melbourne Parliament, from 1:45-2:45pm. The message is united: ‘No to the Abortion Law Reform Bill’.
The occasion is unprecedented and the response so far is extraordinary. Pastors are calling their whole churches to attend. People are even travelling from South Australia, Tasmania, and church buses from country Victoria, including Mildura.
Speakers include the Honourable Bernie Finn, MP, Rob Ward (Australian Christian Lobby) and Dale Stephenson (Senior Pastor, Crossway Baptist – the largest Baptist church in Australasia).
Thousands coming have been inspired by the example of Matthew Prince (father / businessman), who has been protesting on the steps of Parliament 80 hours per week since Monday 22nd September – he is now on his 12th day. His stand for unborn babies’ rights has attracted wide attention and he has been visited by numerous MPs, church leaders and general members of the community. His sign yesterday read:
“39% of babies born at 24 weeks survive, and they have rights. What happened to the rights of an unborn 24 week baby?”
(See Matt’s blog at www.mattsprotest.com)
Event spokesperson, Kirsten Jack says:
“So far, the Catholic Church has been relatively alone in their faithful stand for the unborn. There is a strong sense now that it is time for ALL churches (Protestant and Catholic) to pray and speak up. And this is what this event is about.”
Media contacts:
Information: Kirsten Jack 0421-047-864
Email: matt@mattsprotest.com
Back to top
Media Release: embargo nil
1/10/2008
80 Hour Week Ongoing Protest on Steps of Parliament
No to Abortion Bill
Every week day from 6.30am to 6.30pm (+ weekends), Matthew Prince has been protesting on the steps of Parliament. He is a successful businessman, MBA graduate and father of 2. Today is day 10!
Matt cancelled his New York business trip because he felt compelled to make a stand against the Abortion Law Reform Bill.
He writes: “I just don’t get why unborn kids don't have rights. I can't sit by and keep quiet anymore. Enough is enough.”
The driveby insults are commonplace and the intense discussions with prochoicers are draining, but Matt remains respectful and compassionate.
His blog at www.mattsprotest.com records some of these daily interactions.
Since he has taken his stand, he has been contacted by several MPs, many ProLife and Church leaders, not to mention countless people on both sides of the debate, in Victoria and interstate.
Matt’s stand is becoming an inspiration for many who have felt they had no voice. And he hopes the MPs are listening – this bill has gone way too far.
Media contacts:
Information: Kirsten Jack 0421-047-864
Email: matt@mattsprotest.com
Back to top
Media Release: embargo nil
25/9/2008
Successful Businessman Protests Daily on Steps of Parliament
No to Abortion Bill
Matt Prince is a 32 year old successful businessman with 15 employees, MBA graduate and father of 2 small children. Matt feels deeply about the current abortion bill, and has cancelled his New York business trip, to protest every day on the steps of Parliament, from early until late, until the Upper House makes its decision.
His 2 metre, professional sign reads:
“I just don’t get why unborn kids don’t have rights. I beg you don’t legalise abortion of 9 month babies.”
You can see his picture at: www.mattsprotest.com
Matt admits he feels silly protesting, as he is just a normal guy, but says he feels compelled to make a stand on a bill that has gone way too far.
He sent a memo to his staff last Friday, saying:
“So if I am in any meetings, then the options are to either not have me present, conference call me in or to have the meeting on the steps of Parliament (Spring St, Melbourne) - either option is fine with me. If you are the meeting organiser then please make that call and send around modified meeting requests. Note that you might like to bring a foldup chair and umbrella.”
Matt hopes that his actions will inspire other members of the community to realise that they too can make a stand, whoever they are, for the protection of unborn babies. And he hopes the MPs are listening – this bill has gone way too far.
Media contacts:
Information: Kirsten Jack 0421-047-864
Email: matt@mattsprotest.com
Back to top
|
