A 22 year old woman with Down syndrome who has previously addressed the UN will speak at a massive Save the 8th Rally this Saturday March 10th.

Tens of thousands are expected to march in support of retaining the 8th Amendment and protecting the lives of unborn children in Ireland.

Charlie Fien is a Down syndrome activist who recently gave an impassioned plea to the United Nations in March 2017 where she spoke out against the targeted killing of children diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth.

“I am not suffering,” Ms. Fien told the UN body in Geneva. “I am not ill. None of my friends who have Down’s syndrome are suffering either. We live happy lives.”

“We just have an extra chromosome,” she added. “We are still human beings. We are not monsters. Don’t be afraid of us. … Please don’t try to kill us all off.”

The United Nations delegates responded by giving her a standing ovation. Organisers of the Save the 8th Rally say they expect her to receive the same support and welcome in Ireland.

Speaking on behalf of Save the 8th Niamh Ui Bhriain said ”For the next 11 weeks our message will be focused on ensuring that the Irish people vote no to abortion. One of the heartbreaking facts we seen emerging from Britain is that 90% of babies with Down syndrome are aborted before birth and Charlie Fien’s message is hugely important at this time.”

85 parents and individuals living with a disability have signed an open letter saying that the voices of people with disabilities need to be heard in the debate around the 8th Amendment.

The Save the 8th Rally is taking place this Saturday 10th March at 2pm at Parnell Square Dublin.