Belfast City Council has tonight voted to approve the lighting up of Belfast City Hall for international ‘Safe Abortion Day’ later this month.
Pro-life organisation Precious Life, based in Belfast, said the decision was a “profound insult” to thousands of people across Northern Ireland after almost 20,000 people signed a petition against the move.
The council vote took place after the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) made a request to light the building up on September 28th – prompting an Alliance Party proposal.
The proposal was endorsed by the Green Party, Alliance, Sinn Féin and SDLP councillors with the DUP voting against.
Councillors from the UUP and the TUV also voted against the measure tonight, alongside Independent Councillor Paul McCusker.
A protest was held outside City Hall as the vote took place, as campaigners held signs with the message: “Abortion? Not in our name.”
In a statement, Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life said: “In the days leading up to this vote, thousands of citizens contacted Belfast City Council, submitted complaints and urged councillors to reject the proposal.
“More than 20,000 people signed the Precious Life petition calling on the Council to say NO to the use of Belfast City Hall to promote and celebrate abortion.
“Twelve pro-life organisations and groups from across Northern Ireland also stood together in a united Open Letter, calling on Belfast City Council to reject the proposal. The message was clear: Belfast City Hall is not a billboard for abortion.
“The public opposition was further demonstrated by a Belfast Live poll in which 98% of respondents voted NO to the proposed illumination.”
“Yet despite this overwhelming public opposition, Belfast City Council has chosen to proceed. This is not democracy at its best. It is a Council choosing to ignore the voices of thousands of its own citizens,” she added.
The statement from Precious Life continued: “Belfast City Hall is a civic landmark belonging to all the people of Belfast. It should be a symbol of unity, not a platform for promoting one side of an intensely divisive moral and political issue.
“For many thousands of people, abortion does not represent something to celebrate. It represents the loss of an innocent unborn child. Behind every abortion is a human life that has ended, as well as women and families who may be left carrying grief, pain and regret.
“To illuminate City Hall in celebration of abortion is therefore deeply offensive to those citizens who believe that every unborn child has inherent dignity and the right to life.
“If Belfast City Hall is illuminated for abortion on 28 September, Precious Life will be there to ensure that the other side of the story is heard. Belfast City Hall is not a billboard for abortion.”
The taxpayer-funded, Dublin based National Women’s Council, which made the request in Belfast for the first time, said on Tuesday:
“Belfast City Hall will light up to mark International Safe Abortion Day! We welcome the decision by Belfast City Council to illuminate Belfast City Hall to mark International Safe Abortion Day on Monday, 28th September.”
It shared the statement on social media, alongside a photo of City Hall in green, but turned off replies.
“NWC is proud to collaborate with the Centre for Reproductive Rights, and other organisations across Europe, in securing support for a coordinated visual campaign taking place across Europe, building on similar actions in 2025.
“NWC has reached out to a number of institutions across the island of Ireland to request they participate in the visual campaign and show support for safer and more accessible abortion in Ireland and abroad.
“Our thanks to those who supported the proposal on Belfast City Council.”
The organisation has previously received criticism for using taxpayer-funded resources for political campaigning, particularly when campaigning for a Yes vote in the defeated 2024 Family and Care referendums.
Similar criticism has been levelled at the group, including from a number of TDs and Senators. who have questioned whether the NWCI represents all women’s views fairly in light of the abortion debate.
At least €1 million of its funding in 2024 came from Government departments or State bodies – about 84% of its total income.