Anti-abortion rally in Charlottetown kicks off legislative sitting

About 100 people gathered Thursday at noon in front of the Coles Building in Charlottetown the temporary home of the P.E.I. Legislative Assemblyfor a rally against abortion, organized by Campaign Life Coalition.

• Abortion debated on P.E.I.

The group would like the province to stop supporting access to abortionin Moncton, something it announced back in June.

"There's a very small number of people who actually want this change, so we're here on the first day the leg resumes to say that isn'tthe case, Islanders don't want this," said Alissa GolobwithCampaign Life Coalition.

"We have a large majority of people and this is just the beginning, to kind of combat that very small push."

Prince Edward Island is the only province in Canada where legal abortions are not performed.

In June, the provinceannounced Island womenwould be able to have abortions at ahospital in Monctonstarting July 1, and they'd be able to book the appointment themselves, without needing a doctor's referral.

The group also wantschemical and medical abortions banned outright on the Island.

The Coalitionpresented a petitionto MLA JamesAylward,with what itsays are3.000 signatures of Islanders who oppose abortion.

Aylwardaccepted the petitionand said he'll table it in the legislature.

Organizers say an increasing number of young Islanders are joining the pro-life movement.

The rally drewboos from one person.