Memorial and Celebration of the Life of Dr. Henry Morgentaler

TORONTO, July 19, 2013 /CNW/ - A memorial celebration will be held tonight in Toronto to honour the life and work of Dr. Henry Morgentaler. 

Family, friends, activists and supporters will gather to honour and celebrate the life of a Canadian hero.

	WHAT:	Memorial and celebration of Dr. Henry Morgentaler (1923-2013)
	WHERE:	The Great Hall, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto
	WHEN:	Friday, July 19, 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

"There are individuals who, at certain moments, rise to a challenge at great personal cost - and it makes an incredible difference. Henry Morgentaler did that," said Carolyn Egan, an organizer of the event and spokesperson for the Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics.

"If he had not agreed in 1982 to open an abortion clinic in Toronto - a clinic which became a symbol of women's resistance to an unjust law - we would not have had the historic Supreme Court decision which struck down Canada's abortion law," Egan stated.

"As we reflect on the incredible role that Dr. Henry Morgentaler played, we honour his legacy and his sacrifice by keeping up the struggle."

The memorial celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. in The Great Hall of Hart House, at 7 Hart House Circle (University of Toronto campus). Supporters and visitors will hear from a variety of speakers (Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, Olivia Chow, Jian Ghomeshi, Michelle Landsberg, Carolyn Egan, and several others) and enjoy some of Dr. Morgentaler's favourite music.

Donations to a scholarship fund honouring Dr. Morgentaler's life and work will be gratefully accepted at the event. 

SOURCE: Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics (OCAC)

Carolyn Egan, Spokesperson, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, 416-806-7985
Karolina Walczak, Communications volunteer, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, 416-347-6669 [email protected]