On Monday, December 12th, pro-abortion group Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights announced that it will attempt to enshrine abortion in Ohio’s state constitution in 2023 via public ballot initiative. It is uncertain whether such a proposal would pass. But one thing is sure: The battle over state constitutions is coming to red states like Ohio. The pro-life movement must prepare to weather these storms.
Abortion-related proposals were on the ballots of six different states in 2022. Voters in California, Vermont, and Michigan voted to permanently enshrine abortion into their state constitutions. Pro-life ballot initiatives were defeated in Kansas, Montana, and Kentucky. The lesson is clear: Half a century of pro-death precedent has left a deep impact on the minds of Americans. To finally end abortion, the pro-life movement must change the public’s perception of it.
The radical left has spent decades framing abortion as “reproductive freedom” and “choice.” We must reframe the debate. One way to do this is to show photos of abortion victims.
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According to a study conducted by Dr. Jacqueline Harvey, pictures of aborted babies affect how people think, feel, and vote. Out of 1,741 diverse respondents in her study, the number of people identifying as completely pro-choice dropped 11.11% after seeing the graphic reality of abortion. The number of people identifying as completely pro-life increased 29.41%, and legal permissiveness towards abortion dropped by 9.2% of the overall population. In states where ballot initiatives depend on 50% or 60% of the vote, such shifts would be game-changing.
It is time for the pro-life movement to use every tool at its disposal. Abortion photos are effective and need to be used more often by activists. In order for the movement to repulse upcoming attacks in key battleground states, it must put a laser-focus on culture change. Legislation is important, but culture change is key. If changing minds and exposing abortion is our focus, then we can hope for victory in 2023 and beyond.
LifeNews Note: Titus Meyer is the Public Relations Coordinator for Created Equal.
