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Minnesota students lobby for
life at state Capitol
MCCL's Student Day program introduces young people to the legislative process Part Two of Three By Paul Stark Two-hundred and forty junior high and high school students from across Minnesota came together in St. Paul to attend the eighth annual MCCL Student Day at the Capitol. Students learned about right-to-life issues and lobbied their own state legislators to ban taxpayer funding of abortion. Passion for justice "Young people today are passionate about justice and protection for unborn children," says Scott Fischbach, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) executive director. "Today's teenagers are enthusiastic about transforming their culture so that every child will be welcomed into life and protected by law."
Presentations by MCCL staff gave students the facts about abortion, current pro-life legislation, the legislative process and how to lobby elected officials. Attendees were excited to hear from pro-life Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who welcomed them to St. Paul and spoke passionately of the need to protect all innocent human life from conception to natural death. "You have to make the issue real to you when you talk to your legislator," Molnau instructed after sharing some heartfelt personal stories. "You guys are honest and earnest in your efforts. Thank you for being here and continue the good work." 'You are the future' Pro-life former House Minority Leader Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, urged students to stand up for their pro-life convictions. "Those who are unborn have the same rights that we all enjoy," Seifert explained. "You are the future that is going to change the minds and hearts and souls of lawmakers and people across the nation," Seifert added.
Lawmakers lobbied MCCL Student Day participants were able to tour the Capitol and meet face to face with their legislators, lobbying them to end the injustice of taxpayer funded abortion. They also met as a group with House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, and Rep. Patti Fritz, DFL-Faribault, in the ornate Minnesota House chamber. Fritz told the students, "We had a vote this year on taxpayer funded abortion. We had one last year. We will win next year." As a pro-life Democrat, Fritz pledged, "I will fight and fall on the sword for this issue." "We have a long ways to go," she continued. "We're outnumbered, we have a long way to go, but we're growing [our pro-life movement]." 'Awesome' experience Student Day "was awesome," one student remarked afterward. "It's given me many ideas to start pro-life groups and helped me be way more pro-life." "I took a step in fighting against abortions, especially ones that are taxpayer funded," another student wrote. "You guys really helped me to understand abortion." Equipping tomorrow's leaders Fischbach adds, "Every year, Student Day at the Capitol is a wonderful day of pro-life education and involvement. It is one of the most important ways in which MCCL reaches out to equip young people to be tomorrow's pro-life leaders." |
