The following are pro-life updates from across the country and around the world.
Democratic Convention for Obama Will be in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, NC — The Democratic National Committee today announced the selection of Charlotte, North Carolina, as the site of the party’s 2012 convention, a clear sign that Democrats will once again target the Tar Heel State in the upcoming presidential contest. It will be the first presidential-nominating convention to ever take place in North Carolina. Obama narrowly won the state in 2008, 50%-49% — the first time a Democrat carried the state in a presidential contest since 1976. By selecting Charlotte — which beat out St. Louis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Cleveland — Obama and his political advisers will try to repeat their success in 2008, when they used the convention as an organizing tool to win the state in the general election. Obama won Colorado 54-45 percent after his nomination there.
Massachusetts Bill Exempts Taxpayers From Abortion Funding
Boston, MA — A Massachusetts pro-life group has unveiled a bill that would let individual taxpayers opt out of paying for publicly-funded abortions. Under the measure, a taxpayer could choose to have whatever portion of their state taxes pays for abortion coverage directed instead to the Baby Safe Haven Law. That law allows parents to leave unwanted newborns at fire stations and other designated locations. Massachusetts Citizens for Life President Anne Fox said the bill, one of several filed by the group for the new legislative session, would give residents who oppose abortion a way of exercising their conscience.
Kentucky Man Assaults Girlfriend After Abrotion Refusal
Louisville, KY — Police arrested a man early Monday morning after they said an argument with his girlfriend got out of hand. Police said 29-year-old Anthony Bloomer threw a basketball at his girlfriend, who is 8-10 weeks pregnant, and said she should get an abortion. According to the arrest report, the victim tried to call 911, but Bloomer took the phone from her and destroyed the only cell phone in the house. Three children were inside the home at the time. Police arrested a man early Monday morning after they said an argument with his girlfriend got out of hand. Police said 29-year-old Anthony Bloomer threw a basketball at his girlfriend, who is 8-10 weeks pregnant, and said she should get an abortion. According to the arrest report, the victim tried to call 911, but Bloomer took the phone from her and destroyed the only cell phone in the house. Three children were inside the home at the time.
Ireland Senator Calls for Abortion Referendum
Dublin, Ireland — Senator Rónán Mullen has said that the only way the abortion issue in Ireland can be resolved is by a constitutional amendment. The independent Senator was speaking in a debate at University College Cork. Supporting the motion “That this house would not legalise abortion.” Professor William Binchy of Trinity College Dublin said, “Ireland achieves safer outcomes for mothers than in countries with greater resources and a liberal abortion regime.” He added that the Supreme Court decision in the X case in 1992, which found abortion to be lawful where the life of a mother is at risk, had not been based on any expert medical evidence. “The Supreme Court decision mentioned no time limits. To give effect to that decision would involve abortion of children at all stages of pregnancy”, he said. (More)
Nebraska Lawmakers Introduce Parental Consent Abortion Bill
Lincoln, NE — Nebraska State Senator Lydia Brasch introduced legislation which would require an abortionist to receive consent from one parent or a legal guardian before performing an abortion on a minor. The bill (LB 690) fixes several loopholes being exploited by abortion providers under Nebraska’s current law, which requires parental notification, but not parental consent. According to Family First Executive Director Dave Bydalek,LB 690 is greatly needed. “Most teenage girls are not prepared for the possible aftermath – physical, emotional, and psychological – of abortion. They need their parents not simply to be informed, but actively involved in this decision.” Bydalek goes on to say “Parents must give consent for other medical procedures, including ear piercing and the disbursement of aspirin in a school setting. Minors often need their parents to sign school report cards and approve school field trips.
Florida Boyfriend Hires Man to Attack Girlfriend Refusing Abortion
New Port Richey, FL — A boyfriend hired a man to fake-kidnap his pregnant, 17-year-old girlfriend and beat her in the stomach, hoping she would miscarry, authorities said. The attack happened about 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1 in the woods near Baywood Meadows Drive in New Port Richey. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the boyfriend drove his girlfriend to this location and then called the guy he hired — Andres Luis Marrero, a 19-year-old University of Tampa student — to meet them. The girl asked Marrero to not hurt her because she was pregnant, a report states. Marrero kept forcing the boyfriend and girlfriend deeper into the woods. The girl kept asking him to stop because she was pregnant. Marrero “began to kick and punch her in several times in the stomach and back while stating, ‘This is how much I care, —–,'” the report states. (More)
