California Pro-Lifers Try Again for Parental Notice on Abortion

State   |   Timmerie Millington   |   Jan 30, 2012   |   12:03PM   |   Sacramento, CA

Signatures are currently being gathered to put Parental Notification on the 2012 November ballot for the fourth time in California. In 2008 Parental Notification’s Proposition 4 lost by a very small percentage, 52% to 48%. Parental notification proponents are back this year in full force, but this time they have something that changes the game . . .

In California a minor cannot be given an aspirin by a school nurse, use a tanning bed in a salon, or have a cavity filled without a parent knowing. However, a young lady under the age of 18 can obtain a surgical or chemical abortion without her parent(s) ever being informed. Whether you are pro-life or pro-abortion I believe we can agree that a parent being left ignorant of their child obtaining an abortion is life threatening to young ladies under the age of 18.

I grew up in San Bernardino county where a 24 year old man had been sexually abusing his half sister for years, and when she was 12 she became pregnant. Her abuser (half brother) took her for an abortion where the abortion clinic did not report the sexual abuse case. The parents were never made aware of the ongoing abuse and  the half brother continued to live in the house with the girl for four more years until she was finally able to tell her mother what was happening. The abuser was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison, and the young lady has a life time of pain to deal with. [1]

Now, you may feel a little discouraged about this being the fourth attempt to pass a parental notification law; and I agree that can be discouraging. Does that mean it cannot be done? Jim Holman, who founded California Catholic Daily and the San Diego Reader, is on the front lines of the Parental Notification Initiative as he works on development and fundraising. I asked Jim what is different this time that makes him believe Parental Notification can make it to the 2012 ballot and win the voters. Jim shared two reasons:

“The California bishops are in full support of Parental Notification and are pushing for signature gathering withing the parishes state wide. Second, because of the backing of the bishops financial support, the campaign is given precedence over other causes to be donated to. ”

Last time parental notification was worked on in California, the necessary amount of signatures were gathered and the initiative came very close to winning. This time, with support from the California Catholic Conference of Bishops, the more than 11.1 million Catholics in California will be called on to take action on Parental Notification and to vote in favor of it. In 2012 the “NO” vote was 6,728,478 and the “YES” vote was 6,220,473. Catholic voters alone with make a difference and will play a key role in passing Parental Notification in California.  It is also essential that other Christian and Jewish communities actively participate as well.

Jim Holman also shared that despite Planned Parenthood outspending the 2008 Proposition 4 campaign by 15 to 1, the vote was extremely close. With more volunteers this time gathering signatures, more money will be spent on media campaigns across the state, which is also an essential component to the success of Parental Notification.

Our country has seen a dramatic increase in successful pro-life initiatives and new life affirming laws that have been passed over the last year. Pro-life advocates, and average people that see wide spread abuse of the abortion industry, are speaking out and are being heard. Parental notification will win if the people continue to work together with a passion for protecting young girls and giving adhering to the basic rights of parents to know what is happening with their children. Lives can be saved through parental notification. How are you going to help?

Currently, 1.2 million raw signatures are needed by April 20th to put Parental Notification on the 2012 ballot in California. You can call or email CaliforniansforParentalRights to obtain petitions so you can help gather signitures. Email:[email protected] Phone: (855) 263-2254

[1] People v. Aviles, 2008 Cal App. Unpub. LEXIS 6646.

LifeNews.com Note:  Timmerie Millington is a 19-year-old pro-life activist and blogger who is the former Director of Communications for Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, and Coordinator of Social Media for Angels in Waiting.