The March for Life once again took to the streets of Zurich, Switzerland, on Saturday, September 19, in a rally focused this year on parental responsibility in the face of unexpected pregnancies and support for mothers. Organizers estimated attendance at around 2,200 people, while other estimates placed participation above one thousand.
The demonstration, authorized by the authorities, took place in the Oerlikon district under the slogan «Together for Life!». During the march, groups of counter-protesters attempted on several occasions to block the participants’ passage, forcing the Zurich Police to intervene.
A march focused on parental responsibility
The Zurich March for Life has been held since 2010 and annually brings together associations and families that advocate for the protection of life from conception.
The 2026 edition placed particular emphasis on men and their responsibility in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. The organizers maintain that, alongside the protection of the unborn child, it is necessary to provide effective support to women going through difficult situations and also to address the role of fathers in abortion.
Among the participants who spoke during the event was Nicolas Kolly, a member of the Swiss National Council and former member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Kolly called for «giving a voice to those who still do not have one» and argued that the protection of the child and the accompaniment of the mother must be addressed together. He also stressed the father’s responsibility to support, listen, and protect in the face of an unexpected pregnancy.
Jonas Streule, regional director of ProLife Europe in Switzerland, also spoke to explain the organization’s work among university students.
The Swiss mobilization coincided with other pro-life rallies held during the same weekend in Europe. In Bratislava, up to 30,000 people participated on Sunday in the National March for Life, backed by Slovak bishops and which received a greeting from Leo XIV.
Read also: Bratislava gathers 30,000 people in defense of life from conception to natural death
Counter-protesters attempted to block the route
The march was accompanied by a significant police presence in response to calls from groups opposed to the demonstration.
According to the Zurich municipal police, during the march several dozen people, some traveling on bicycles, repeatedly attempted to block or stop the march by placing containers on the roadway.
The Keystone-SDA agency estimated around 200 masked counter-protesters participated in the protest actions.
Bottles were also thrown at officers. The police used water cannons to clear the way and deployed rubber projectiles against those throwing objects.
Security forces conducted checks on several dozen people in the surrounding area and ordered some of them to leave the zone. Two people were provisionally detained for violence and threats against officers.
The march was finally able to complete the route and returned shortly before six in the evening to the starting point. No injuries were reported among its participants.
Six years without authorization to march through downtown Zurich
The location of the demonstration constitutes another point of dispute between the organizers and municipal authorities.
For the sixth consecutive year, the city did not authorize the March for Life to be held in downtown Zurich and kept it in Oerlikon. The authorities justify this decision for security reasons due to the risk of incidents and counter-demonstrations.
The organizers, however, believe that the measure disproportionately restricts their freedom of assembly and significantly reduces the public visibility of the rally.
The association has initiated legal action against the municipal decision and maintains that threats from those seeking to prevent a peaceful demonstration should not determine where other citizens can exercise their right of assembly.
Despite the successive blocking attempts recorded during the day, the police kept the route open and the March for Life concluded as planned.