Roe v. Wade = Partial-Birth Abortion

Putting a Face on Abortion

By Jacki Ragan
NRLC State Organizational Development Director

For some, last June's Supreme Court ruling that effectively overturned partial-birth abortion bans in more than two dozen states settled the partial-birth abortion debate once and for all. But not for the pro-life movement. Anyone who has ever been involved in the movement, past or present, knows that we don't give up that easily.

The 5-4 decision in Stenberg v. Carhart flew in the face of America's widespread opposition to the brutal partial-birth abortion procedure. Polling data show that as much as 84% of the American public believes partial-birth abortion should be banned.

Congress twice passed a law prohibiting this gruesome procedure, only to have former President Clinton veto it both times. Additionally, over half of the 50 states had passed legislation outlawing partial-birth abortion by the time the Supreme Court used the Nebraska law to strike down all existing laws. But despite all of this vocal and overwhelming opposition, partial- birth abortion continues unfettered.

Several ideas are now being considered on how to draft a meaningful law that would ban partial-birth abortion following the Stenberg decision.

In the meantime, we have much work to do on this issue. This is a call to action to every state organization, chapter, pro-life church group, volunteer, and grassroots activist. Spread the word that this grisly procedure is still happening all over the United States. We must make certain that the partial-birth abortion issue stays alive before the general public.

Included in this issue on pages 18-19 are a couple of ideas to help you get started. There is a new petition that we hope you will circulate as widely as possible. We need to gather as many signatures as we can to remind members of Congress of Americans' firm belief that partial-birth abortion should not be allowed to continue. This petition is free and we will send you as many as you can use. Circulate the petition among your family, friends, neighbors, churches, shopping center, and fair booths.

Don't let America forget that Roe v. Wade equals partial-birth abortion.

There is a full-page ad offering church bulletin inserts. These inserts will help educate your community on the horror of partial-birth abortion. Place them in your own church bulletin and in every church in your community that will let you offer the inserts.

We also have two different ad slicks to help you spread this educational message.

We are calling on every pro-lifer across the country to help us spread the message that Roe v. Wade equals partial-birth abortion. The Supreme Court honored the tragic precedent set in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision when it struck down Nebraska's ban on partial-birth abortion last June.

Roe v. Wade equals partial-birth abortion.

Help educate America about the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure that continues to this day. Help America realize that " choice" has another name: partial-birth abortion. Help America realize that "choice" isn't quite as innocent as it sounds.

For information on ordering any of the Roe v. Wade = partial- birth abortion materials, please see the ad in this issue of NRL News, or call (202) 626-8800, ext. 145. Check our web site at www.nrlc.org or e-mail us at stateod@aol.com.