Belfast City Hall was not illuminated in green on September 28 to mark International Safe Abortion Day, despite a council vote in August approving the plan. The illumination was paused pending a legal opinion following a challenge by the DUP under the Local Government Act (NI) 2014.

Several hundred people gathered outside City Hall for a pro-life rally organized by the group Precious Life. The rally began with a march through the city centre, with participants carrying white lights and chanting “we choose life”.

Precious Life director Bernadette Smyth told the crowd that the building’s white lights represented “the light for life” and praised councillors who challenged the decision. She said the campaign would continue.

A second rally nearby was organized by the Free Presbyterian Church. Its moderator, Rev Ian Brown, described the planned illumination as “reprehensible”.

The council had voted in August to approve the illumination at the request of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. The NWC expressed disappointment that the building was not lit, saying it would have sent a message that women’s right to safe healthcare is recognised.

The legal challenge meant the council could not confirm by the day whether the illumination would proceed. The issue may return to the council for further debate.

International Safe Abortion Day is marked annually on September 28. Other buildings in Dublin and across Europe were lit green as part of an initiative, but Belfast City Hall remained with its standard lighting.