Dr. Anthony Levatino is a pro-life physician from New Mexico but, before having a change of heart on the issue of abortion he was an OBGYN who also performed abortions.
Levatino did as many as 1,200 abortions — some of them after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Then, after his daughter died in a tragic automobile accident, he re-evaluated his position on abortion and stopped doing abortions. He already pressed for banning late-term abortions on the national level.
Now, the pro-life physician is urging voters in Albuquerque, New Mexico to support a ballot measure this month that would ban late-term abortions in the state. The Las Cruces-based OB/GYN is participating in a press conference today to urge Albuquerque residents to back the ban.
Pastor Dewey Moede, who is organizing the event, said, “Levatino performed more than 1,200 abortions – including some after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Dr. Levatino also testified before the U.S. House during hearings on the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance which passed on June 18th.”
He said the former abortionist “will provide details and insight from his experience in performing late-term abortions, what it means to women and children and will offer clarification on the procedure itself.”
In July, members of Protect ABQ Women & Children, along with other pro-life groups, turned in nearly 27,000 signatures, more than double the necessary needed to put the measure on a city-wide ballot, in half the allotted time. Protect ABQ Women & Children is a local advocacy campaign that is working to raise awareness of the dangers of the late-term abortion industry in Albuquerque and to garner support for the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance,” which bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Albuquerque Journal released results of a poll in September that shows 54% of Albuquerque voters support the proposed municipal ban on abortions after 20 weeks when babies are known to feel pain. Only 39% opposed the ordinance.
The late-term abortion ban particularly enjoyed favor among Hispanic people who support the ordinance by 57% regardless of party affiliation. Those who identified as Republicans expressed an overwhelming 80% support for the ordinance.
This is the first known effort to ban late-term abortions on the municipal level. Albuquerque holds the dubious distinction of being known as the “Late-term Capital of America” because it is the site of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S.
“This poll shows what we have been saying all along, that the proposed Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance has wide support in Albuquerque. Putting this ordinance to a vote is the right thing to do,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “Late-term abortion is a barbaric and dangerous practice that has no place in a civilized society. There are better, more compassionate alternatives for women in the late stages of pregnancy than inflicting upon them and their babies the brutality of abortion.”
Churches in Albuquerque are organizing pro-life people to educate friends and family and neighbors about the ban.
