Speaker Bolger Blocks Coercive Abortion Bill, Bill Dies During All Night Session

For reasons never directly explained to RLM, House Speaker Jase Bolger refused to take a vote on S.B. 1156 & 1157 over the final days of the legislative session. While more than 100 bills were addressed during a marathon 20-hour session spanning all day Thursday and until nearly sunrise today, the two coercive abortion protection bills were left to die and will have to be reintroduced in the new session starting in January. Bolger is term-limited and will not be returning to the legislature in 2015.

Kudos to Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and lead bill sponsor, Senator Judy Emmons, who went the extra mile trying to get this legislation through in the waning days of this session. They demonstrated true commitment and leadership to the prolife cause.

It is a disappointing finish to an otherwise historic 4-year legacy of passing prolife legislation under the current House and Senate leadership. Under Speaker Bolger and Majority Leader Randy Richardville, RLM was able to promote more significant prolife legislation than at any other time in our history. Both Bolger and Richardville are term-limited and will not return to the legislature in 2015. Right to Life of Michigan will be working with new leadership.

In 2011, after 15 years of effort, a ban on partial birth abortion was finally secured in Michigan law. In 2012, we passed the unprecedented Prolife Omnibus bill, putting four separate bills together into one. In 2013, the House and Senate approved our citizen petition legislation to remove abortion coverage from Obamacare plans and all health insurance in Michigan. Passage of the Coercive Abortion Protection Act would have been a crowning piece to this remarkable run of prolife legislation.

Some adversity only serves to strengthen resolve. Right to Life of Michigan will be back in 2015 to complete the mission of protecting women and girls from coerced abortions.

With appreciation for all the incredible prolife work you do, may you be blessed this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of a baby. Isn't that what we are about? Knowing there is hope and joy with the coming of each and every baby!

Great fetal surgery story

The Daily Signal has a video on Elijah Leffingwell and his surgery while he was still in the womb.

Death is not a treatment for disease

In the Lansing State Journal, Right to Life of Michigan’s Legislative Director Ed Rivet has a piece reflecting on Brittany Maynard’s death and on Michigan’s decision to choose true compassion over assisted suicide.

The conversation about her very public campaign promoting physician-assisted suicide should cause Michiganders to recall the debate we had in the 1990s as a result of Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s lethal activities. At that time, Michigan was the epicenter of the assisted-suicide debate and as a state we gave it a very thorough examination. Let us reflect on what we learned.

We chose not to legalize assisted suicide via a 1998 statewide ballot question, rejecting Proposal B by a 71 percent to 29 percent margin. We recognized that we failed if our solution to suffering was to kill those who suffer. Better alternatives were available. We approved new laws and administrative rules to increase access to hospice care, gave doctors more discretion to aggressively use pain medications, and improved training for palliative care and pain management in the health professions.

FULL STORY

Michigan House takes up bill to protect religious liberty

With barely two weeks remaining in the current legislative session and a raft of issues on the docket, Michigan House leaders have moved the protection of religious liberties to center stage. House Speaker Jase Bolger introduced House Bill 5958 - the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act (MRFRA) - immediately after the November election. Typically, the Speaker does not introduce bills as leader of the chamber. HB 5958 is the only bill Speaker Bolger has personally sponsored in this two-year session. Today the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the bill and reported it to the House floor by a vote of 7-4.

This proposed state law directly parallels the federal RFRA which was at the center of the Hobby Lobby religious liberty case against the HHS Mandate under the federal health care law. The federal RFRA was enacted in 1993, signed by President Bill Clinton, to mitigate a U.S. Supreme Court ruling which lowered the protection of religious beliefs from government actions. Though Congress attempted to apply RFRA to the states, the Supreme Court later ruled states must pass their own RFRA to maintain the highest level of legal protection at the state and local levels.

Right to Life of Michigan offered its support to HB 5958 today as we are currently engaged in our own lawsuit against the HHS Mandate. Recent government actions at both the federal and local levels have demonstrated fundamental religious liberties are vulnerable. While things are always very unpredictable in a "lame duck" session, including what response the Michigan Senate will have to HB 5958, a matter of this importance will keep everyone's attention in Lansing.

RLM will be closely monitoring developments on this legislation and will be advocating for its passage.

Comedian Steven Crowder discusses the value of every human life

In a new video, comedian Steven Crowder shares his experience volunteering with his wife at a ministry for individuals with special needs.  He discusses how every life has value.

Short prolife film MITOSIS on YouTube

Check out the wonderful, short 14-minute prolife film MITOSIS below. When we take the life of an unborn child, we also kill their future dreams, creativity and knowledge.

Double your gift by donating online

This month, Right to Life of Michigan supporters have the opportunity to double their donations to the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund. Generous donors are doubling the donations of individuals up to $50,000 for donations given online. Our goal is to raise 50,000 in online donations by December 31.       

Double your donation by donating online to Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund.

Infographic contest challenges prolife youth to boldly stand for life

Are you a student, creative, prolife and looking for a way to showcase your talent? Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund is sponsoring the 2015 Sanctity of Human Life Youth Infographic Contest for high school and college-aged Michigan youth.    

Contenders who create and submit an original prolife infographic by Friday, January 2, 2015, can participate in the contest. Contestants compete in two divisions based on age, 13 to 17 and 18 to 22. The winner of the 13 to 17 division will win $300, and the winner of the 18 to 22 division will win $500.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "I want to encourage prolife youth to use their creative talent to promote the sanctity of human life. This contest is an incentive for Michigan students to boldly take a stand for life. At the same time, the infographic submissions will be used to educate others on the precious gift of human life."  

An infographic is a graphic or visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. All submissions for this contest must feature a theme which reflects "the reality of 42 years of legalized abortion."

Learn more about the 2015 Sanctity of Human Life Youth Infographic Contest.

Michigan suspends abortionist Robert Alexander’s license

On November 19, Michigan’s Board of Medicine Disciplinary Subcommittee suspended the medical license of abortionist Robert Alexander for 6 months.  In order to get his license back, Alexander will have to pay a $75,000 fine and petition the state, something he says he won’t do.  For years, Alexander ran abortion clinics in various locations across Michigan until his clinic in Muskegon was shut down by local authorities. 

WOOD TV8 was there to cover the ruling and interview Alexander who was caught lying on a number of issues.  Alexander again attempted to blame prolife people for the horrid conditions of his abortion clinic.  

Alexander’s latest troubles first came to light in December 2012 after a reported break-in at Women’s Medical Services Clinic.

Inside, the city found blood on the floor and walls, uncovered buckets of unidentified fluids in the operating room area, blood dripping from a sink p-trap in a patient room, biohazard bags on the floor and closets, unsecured containers of used hypodermic needles, unsecured medication and patient records scattered around the office, according to records.

Alexander at first told the state that Right to Life activists had broken in and caused the damage. He later blamed the former employee. He claimed the bloody instruments had been left behind by another doctor. He also said he was bipolar and blamed his condition for the mess.

FULL STORY

Planned Parenthood will close Ionia clinic

Planned Parenthood has decided to close its clinic in Ionia, Michigan. The clinic did not provide abortions but did do abortion referrals. In the article, Planned Parenthood cites a dramatic decrease in clients as a reason for the closing. They also curiously claim “decreased funding” as a reason for closing while at the same time mentioning a fundraising campaign which raised more than $4 million. 

Planned Parenthood is America’s leading abortion provider.

FULL STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S ABORTION AGENDA

Reported Abortions Increase for 2013

One Dynamic: Clinic Law Increases Accountability

Data released by the Michigan Department of Community Health showed a 12.4 percent increase in the number of reported abortions performed in 2013. The total number of abortions performed rose from 23,230, to 26,120. While the increased numbers are tragic, they are not unexpected and have predicted explanations. A law passed in 2012 requiring abortion clinics to be licensed caused 5 abortion clinics to close in the early months of 2013. The location of those closed clinics corresponds with the four counties (Muskegon, Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland) that showed substantial increases in abortions, accounting for the increase in the number of reported abortions.

Those closed abortion businesses were suspected of violating the state reporting law. As those abortion businesses closed, their clients went to other abortion businesses; previously unreported abortions may be reported now. There was also a shocking 44.4 percent increase in late-term abortions (after 20 weeks), which may be attributed to better reporting and an influx of women from Ohio after abortion businesses in Toledo closed.

In Muskegon, Right to Life of Michigan identified anomalies in past abortion data. The sole abortion business in Muskegon was not reporting abortions for two years prior to being shut down for dangerous conditions. It is suspected that women from Muskegon County are now traveling to other abortion businesses that follow state reporting laws. Metro Detroit may be experiencing something similar, four clinics from that area closed in 2013 following passage of the Prolife Omnibus Act (PA 499). 

The numbers could reflect an actual increase in abortions, possibly due to the especially difficult economic times Detroit is facing as the city undergoes bankruptcy. About 29 percent of the 2013 increase was reported in Detroit, despite the city having only 7 percent of the state's population. Abortion continues to disproportionately devastate the black community, with more than 50 percent of all abortions being performed on black women, even though they are only 16 percent of the female population. Recent media coverage showing Detroit’s maternal death rate at triple the national rate proves that abortion fails to improve women’s health.

The trend of declining abortions committed on girls under the age of 18 continued. That number dropped to under 1,000 for the first time ever. In 2012, 1,035 minor abortions were reported. The reported figure of 971 in 2013 represents another 6 percent decrease. Since 1990, abortions among minors has fallen 75 percent.

Whether it is real increases or better tracking, we are deeply saddened by the loss of those additional 2,900 precious lives. While the overall trend of decreasing abortions is encouraging, this year’s increase and the annual overall numbers serves as a reminder that our prolife efforts must continue, because lives depend on us.

2015 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS) Bulletin Inserts

Our 2015 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday bulletin inserts are now available for $7/100.

These 5.5" x 8.5" full color glossy bulletin inserts (as seen below) featuring a prolife prayer are perfect for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday church services, prolife gatherings and events.

Front

 

Back

ORDER NOW

Being Prolife Pays Off at the Polls

Because of the selfless work of prolife people, the 2014 midterm election saw 86% of candidates endorsed by the Right to Life of Michigan Political Action Committee win their races, a historic result. Highlights include 100 percent of the endorsed candidates for the U.S. House and Michigan Senate winning their races, as well as 90 percent of endorsed Michigan House candidates.

The top of the ticket did well, including returning prolife Bill Schuette to the important office of Michigan attorney general for four more years. We have elected prolife people who share our values.

Despite huge cash infusions from teacher unions and the efforts of paid election workers, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan endorsed candidates fared poorly, winning only 46% of their races. Planned Parenthood routinely downplays their commitment to abortion, but Michigan voters were not fooled and returned solid prolife majorities to the Michigan Legislature.

Prolife volunteers, working hard for free, made a difference in key races, some of which were decided by less than 100 votes. Before the election, Detroit Free Press columnist Brian Dickerson begrudgingly recognized the unique success Right to Life of Michigan has with elections and legislation in the column, "How Right to Life keeps winning in Michigan."

Right to Life of Michigan is a grassroots organization that depends on the work of affiliates and volunteers across the state. You are Right to Life of Michigan. Thank you for your efforts this election season!

Brittany Maynard commits suicide, Michigan has chosen the alternative

Sadly, Brittany Maynard  recently ended her life after receiving lethal drugs through Oregon's assisted suicide law.  

In Michigan, assisted suicide is illegal.  Legalizing assisted suicide really puts the decision of who lives and who dies into the hands of physicians to decide who gets the lethal drugs and who does not. This means the state is granting authority to doctors to decide who is worthy to die.  Legalizing assisted suicide, but not providing treatments, like we have seen in Oregon with patients being denied cancer treatment, but will have their suicide drugs paid for, means those states are not serving the best interests of patients.

The issue of assisted suicide has largely disappeared in Michigan because of our state's aggressive work on pain management education and access to hospice care.  Michigan has chosen the alternative to assisted suicide. 

Brittany Maynard, the cancer patient who received national attention over her plan to kill herself under Oregon’s assisted suicide law on November 1 has taken her own life. That’s despite the fact that cancer patients and pro-life groups have tried to talk her out of the decision.


The Portland Oregonian newspaper first reported that Brittany died Sunday afternoon after taking her own life with legally-prescribed lethal drugs. People magazine confirmed her death an hour later in a news report.

FULL STORY

Union money funneled to Planned Parenthood's pro-abortion super PAC in Michigan

Planned Parenthood is the leading abortion provider in America and in order to keep abortion as unrestricted as possible, they work to elect pro-abortion candidates on local, state and national levels.  In Michigan, Planned Parenthood does election activities through two political action committees.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan basically gives money to pro-abortion candidates and does a few mailings on behalf of those candidates. They received around $50,000 so far this year from individuals.

Michigan Planned Parenthood Votes is their new super PAC which was just formed in August of 2014.  According to their October quarterly report, they basically have only 1 major donor. That donor is America Votes Action Fund which is located in Washington, D.C. and gave them $425,000 this cycle after the August primary of the $430,100 direct contributions they've received.  The majority of Planned Parenthood's Super PAC money has been used to pay the canvassers $12 an hour to go door to door for pro-abortion candidates.  Other funds have been used for what appear to be mailing pieces and robocalls.

According to OpenSecrets.com, America Votes Action Fund gets it funds from a variety of left wing groups.  Below are their leading donors.

As you can see, it is largely union money. The two top donors are the National Education Association (which gave $735,000) and American Federation of Teachers (which gave $655,000).

So union money goes to America Votes Action Fund and then gets dispersed to various state level groups, some of which have nothing to do with unions (such as Planned Parenthood) except for their Democratic Party leanings. 

Every member of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers should be made aware their unions are contributing money to another organization which then funnels that money to pro-abortion groups with the sole goal of electing pro-abortion legislators. 

New pro-abortion book uses same, old language to dehumanize the unborn

Mollie Hemingway reviews Katha Pollitt's new book, Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights, and finds her arguments in favor of abortion are as old as they come. 

Her first argument begins with a decidedly retro dehumanizing of children in utero as a clump of cells. She even uses the phrase “clump of cells” in the book. Also: a “stray sperm,” “homunculus,” a “zygote/embryo/fetus,” “a fertilized egg or lentil-sized embryo,” a “fertilized egg or pea-sized shrimplike embryo,” “the sex that conceived.” Ultrasound images of children in the womb are “really just a gray blur” and “fuzzy, high-tech smudges” that she compares to photos of the Loch Ness Monster. Stunning documentary images of pregnancies are misleading because an “embryo the size of a lime is made to look as large as a toddler.”

FULL STORY

Planned Parenthood's 3% myth

In the video below, Students for Life of America exposes Planned Parenthood's 3% myth.



LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S ABORTION AGENDA

WOODTV covers trial of abortionist Robert Alexander, interviews one of his victims

Last night, WOODTV continued their investigative series on Michigan abortionist Robert Alexander by reporting on his recent trial in front of an administrative law judge as well as interviewing a woman who lost her ability to have children because of Alexander.

The Muskegon County woman said she saw Alexander in 2011 when she was 31 because she believed she was pregnant. She said the doctor gave her two pills and then performed a procedure. She’s still not sure she was really pregnant, she said, or what kind of procedure he performed.

Not long after that, she was bleeding badly, she said. She went to the emergency room and had to undergo surgery and get a blood transfusion.

“He damaged my cervix that bad and damaged my uterus and everything else inside, and things aren’t the same at all,” she said. “Because of him and his poor practices, his bad procedures, I can no longer have children, and I have none at all, so I don’t get any.”

She is considering adoption.

“It sucks every time I go to the grocery store and I see someone playing with their kids, buying their kids something; every time I go to the beach, see them playing with their kids; anytime I go to the mall, see someone buying their kids stuff,” she said. “Yeah, it hurts. It hurts.”

FULL STORY

Celebrate the lives saved by the Hyde Amendment on its 38th anniversary

Today is the 38th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment. Despite being a main target for many years of abortion advocates, it's been re-approved by Congress every year. It prevents federal tax dollars from directly paying for most abortions. Preventing federal tax dollars from paying for abortion save lives, millions of lives.  

A similar law in Michigan saved approximately 10,000 lives the first year it was in effect.  Case in point: In 1988, Michigan tax dollars were used to pay for abortions until December 11, 1988.  There were 46,747 reported abortions in Michigan in 1988.  Michigan had a reported abortion ratio (the number of abortions for every 1,000 live births) of 334.8 and a reported abortion rate (the number of abortions occurring in Michigan per 1,000 Michigan women aged 15-44) of 21.0. 

In 1989, these numbers changed dramatically as our Michigan tax dollars were no longer paying for abortions.  Reported abortions dropped by more than 10,000 to 36,557.  The abortion ratio dropped to 246.7 and the abortion rate dropped to 16.5.  In 1989, the number of live births also rose by 8,529 compared to 1988.

If ending tax funded abortions in Michigan saved 10,000 lives in one year, imagine how many lives 38 years of the Hyde Amendment (which effects the whole nation) has saved. 

Today is a day to celebrate the millions of lives saved by the Hyde Amendment and continue in our efforts to uphold the sanctity of human life. 

Start With Life film is exciting, new resource for churches

Start With Life is a thought-provoking short film about the battle of maintaining and advancing respect for human life. The spectrum of life comes alive with the visual images and scenes to which we can all relate. Deep down we know we must Start With Life.

Every person is equal under the law, and at crucial points in our country's history, this idea has given our nation a hope and vitality unlike any other on earth. Every new generation has had to come to terms with how to put this idea into practice.

Help others Start With Life. This film will remind them of ways they can join the battle of protecting the unalienable right to life. Every human being bears the image of God and is deserving of protection.

To show the 2-minute 22-second Start With Life film to your church, study group, organization or ministry, please contact Right to Life of Michigan at info@rtl.org or by calling the Right to Life of Michigan State Central Office at 616-532-2300.

The film is also available for viewing from the Right to Life of Michigan YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/rtlmich

ELECTIONS 2014 

Judge finds Michigan abortionist "failed to adhere to the most minimal standards of cleanliness"

For years, abortionist Robert Alexander ran a filthy abortion clinic in Muskegon and his clinic was only shut down when authorities investigated a break-in at the clinic and discovered the horrific conditions.  Now, Alexander is on the brink of losing his medical license after a September hearing exposed his practices.   

Operating room at Alexander's clinic via MLive

After the hearing, Administrative Law Judge Shawn Downey issued a proposal for decision which did not look too kindly on former Muskegon abortionist Robert Alexander's excuses for his closed abortion clinic's disgusting state. Alexander blamed his staff, contractors, and his landlord for the mess. Alexander even accused prolifers of breaking into his clinic and creating months of general filth overnight.

Judge Downey found that Alexander was not a credible witness and noted that the filthy conditions at the clinic had been there for an extended time according to Alexander's previous employees. 

He also found that the Bureau of Health Care Service proved Alexander is guilty of both negligence and incompetence under Michigan's Public Health Code.  The Michigan Board of Medicine will now decide how to discipline Alexander. 

PDF OF DOWNEY'S PROPOSAL FOR DECISION 

HT: LifeNews

"Safe, legal and rare" is out and the abortion absolutists are in

At the Gospel Coalition, Trevin Wax discusses the "New Abortion Absolutists" and how certain abortion advocates have moved away from the "safe, legal and rare" mantra and are now embracing arguments attempting to eliminate the social stigma attached to abortion. 

Why leave behind words like “rare” and “tragic?” Because speaking of abortion this way lends credence to the pro-life position that there is something wrong with ”terminating a pregnancy.” If the abortion-rights agenda is to succeed, then, abortion must be de-stigmatized. And nothing will remove the stigma from abortion faster than making it common and celebrated......

The agenda for abortion absolutists is clear. We must dispense with the mystery and gravitas surrounding a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy. It is time to talk frankly about the abortion procedure as if it were just a normal part of a woman’s range of reproductive health choices.

FULL STORY

Government study shows how disconnected Congressman Gary Peters is from reality of abortion and Obamacare

Michigan deserves better 

 

The Government Accountability Office released a study which confirms tax dollars are being used to subsidize abortion in Obamacare. The study shows that elective abortion coverage in the vast majority of plans studied "is not subject to any restrictions, limitations, or exclusions."

After the passage of Obamacare, prolife people and members of Congress feared their tax dollars and insurance premiums would be used to pay for elective abortions in Obamacare. These concerns were routinely dismissed by the Obama administration and abortion advocates like Congressman Gary Peters.

After voting against legislation which would have prevented tax dollars from being used to subsidize abortion coverage, Congressman Gary Peters issued a press release which claimed "the fact remains that taxpayer dollars are not used for abortions" and "(t)here have been GAO audits...(that) have concluded that the law of the land is being obeyed. No federal funds are being used for abortions" and the legislation is "completely unnecessary."

The GAO has now released a study showing concerns were completely valid regarding tax dollars being used to subsidize abortion in Obamacare. The GAO study also shows that Congressman Peters was completely wrong.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "Michigan deserves better than politicians who blindly and thoughtlessly stand behind an administration willing to mislead so many people. Abortion funding could have easily been removed from Obamacare. Politicians like Gary Peters voted against those straight-forward bills." 

The GAO study can be found at the following web address:

 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-742R

Gary Peters' Press Release from October 13, 2011 can be found here:

 http://www.peters.house.gov/common/popup/popup.cfm?action=item.print&itemID=435

GAO study affirms necessity of Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act

Over the summer of 2013, prolife citizens of Michigan initiated legislation to opt-out Michigan from using our tax dollars and insurance premiums to pay for abortions by collecting more than 300,00 signatures from registered voters.

A new study from the Government Accountability Office reaffirms the necessity of their actions and Michigan's law by finding the vast majority of insurance plans in their study aren't separating the cost of abortion insurance from the rest of the insurance as President Obama promised in an executive order.

The Government Accountability Office said in a report released late Monday that only 1 of 18 insurers it reviewed was separately itemizing a charge for coverage of elective abortions on enrollees' bills.

That detail is important because the original compromise that President Barack Obama sealed with anti-abortion Democrats stipulated that no federal funds would be used to pay for elective abortions.

This study proves that insurance companies which include the standard coverage of abortion aren't separating the costs of covering abortion from the rest of the insurance premium just as prolife people had feared.  

The study also proves a number of opponents of the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act were clearly wrong to attack the motives and sincerity of prolifers. 

Speaking in opposition to the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act on December 11, 2013, State Senator Gretchen Whitmer claimed prolife concerns about Obamacare paying abortions were false.

"They told the public this was about preventing Obamacare from paying for abortions. Bull." 

On the same day, State Senator Bert Johnson claimed, 

"The Affordable Care Act includes a mechanism to ensure that public funds are not used to perform elective abortions and includes language reinforcing the Hyde Amendment."

State Representative Kate Segal also claimed prolifers were lying about concerns of tax dollars being used to subsidize abortions in her testimony. 

I am ashamed that the supporters of this proposal can’t be bothered with facts – repeating the bold-faced lie that their tax dollars are somehow being used for abortions, despite the fact that the federal Hyde Amendment has banned tax dollars from being spent on elective abortions since 1977 and that Michigan law already does so, as well.

State Senator Whitmer, State Senator Johnson and State Representative Segal owe apologies to prolife people of Michigan for attacking them and their motives when they clearly were uninformed about Obamacare, the Hyde Amendment and whether tax dollars would be used to subsidize abortions.

Abortion ends the life of a human being preparing to be born.  This fact is the reason why prolife people do not want their tax dollars and insurance premiums used for abortions.  When will President Obama keep the promise he made in his executive order?

The trial of abortionist Robert Alexander

by Genevieve Marnon, Right to Life of Michigan Public Affairs Associate

Operating room in Alexander's clinic (via MLive.com)

Last week the notorious abortionist Robert Alexander was on trial in front of an administrative law judge because of allegations of incompetency and negligence stemming from the closure of his Muskegon clinic in December of 2012 by the fire marshal. On behalf of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs an assistant attorney general laid out a stunning amount of evidence and expert witness testimony detailing the egregious conditions that were uncovered during an investigation of a break-in at Alexander's clinic on Dec. 26, 2012.

Those who have followed Alexander's career weren't surprised to hear the allegations, but even seasoned investigators seemed distressed by the dozens of health and safety violations which were found at the clinic.  The prosecution presented 87 photos showing used needles on the ground, unsterilized surgical tools, rusty equipment, biohazard bags stacked up in procedure rooms, unsecured patient files, buckets of fluid containing 

“fleshy” substances and dozens of fire hazards.

When it came time for Alexander's testimony, he rambled and preached from the stand and had to be reprimanded several times to “just answer the question.”  He dodged and obfuscated questions and contradicted himself repeatedly. He even went on to describe his long standing bi-polar disorder and suggested that he should be excused from the allegations because of the American's with Disabilities Act.

When asked about his competency in the face of the overwhelming evidence against him, Alexander claimed prolife extremists broke in and staged the scene.  He then blamed his employee and her husband for not cleaning as they had been contracted to do.  Finally, he claimed the deplorable conditions existed because he was in the process of closing his clinic and the procedure room in question was simply being used for storage.

The expert witnesses disagreed with all accusations by Alexander that the scene had been staged and were able to show the conditions found at the clinic demonstrated a history of negligence.

It took the judge only one week to determine Alexander was guilty of both negligence and incompetence.  Now it is up to the Board of Medicine to take the judge's opinion into consideration as it decides whether Alexander's license will be revoked and what other sanctions will be placed on him. The Board Review will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.

Put prolife values first when voting

 by Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing

“Why do you have to get involved in politics?” That’s a question I get from people who disagree with our endorsement of candidates. It’s a fair question. Many citizens are unhappy with their elected officials, feeling they are unresponsive or once elected change their positions. We needed to be actively engaged in vetting and supporting candidates because that is one way to impact the abortion culture. Prolife bills need to be passed; pro-abortion bills need to be defeated. That only happens when men and women with prolife values are sent to Lansing and Washington D.C.

We must always protect the most defenseless members of our human family. A vital way of protecting others is through our political action activities. Certainly our counterparts, the pro-abortion alliance of Planned Parenthood, NOW, Emily’s List and others, are actively recruiting and financially supporting pro-abortion candidates. What would happen if we refused to engage and left our prolife candidates without any support?

Our nation’s policy of abortion on demand touches us all whether directly or indirectly. We all know women and families who have been heartbroken over abortion. The loss of so many children has affected our state and national institutions and policies, from school closings to social security concerns.

Think about this scripture passage from Psalms: “You have rocked the country and split it open; repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.”

We are called to repair the wrongs created through the U.S. Supreme Court abortion decisions which have caused so much harm and suffering. We do that through education and outreach. We do that through political action by endorsing and supporting prolife candidates. We do that by then lobbying those prolife legislators to enact protective laws. Every life has meaning; so does every vote. Let us put our prolife values first when voting. Make your vote count in repairing the cracks.

Obama Administration will continue lawsuit against Little Sisters of the Poor

It looks like the Obama Administration may still be in court against the Little Sisters of the Poor, after slightly amending the HHS Mandate following a loss at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The government is still trying to force the nuns to either violate their deeply held religious convictions or pay crippling fines to the IRS.

“Religious ministries in these cases serve tens of thousands of Americans, helping the poor and homeless and healing the sick. The Little Sisters of the Poor alone serve more than ten thousand of the elderly poor. These charities want to continue following their faith. They want to focus on ministry—such as sharing their faith and serving the poor—without worrying about the threat of massive IRS penalties,” said Adele Keim, Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represents the Little Sisters.

FULL STORY

Traverse City Record-Eagle editorial board needs to learn how to do some basic research

Even though the No Taxes for Abortion Insurance petition drive received countless pages of press, some media outlets seem to have forgotten much of what happened.  In an editorial regarding petition drives and the Michigan legislature, the editorial board of the Traverse City Record-Eagle wrote this:

In December, lawmakers approved controversial citizen-initiated abortion insurance legislation. The petition drive was organized by Right to Life of Michigan. Instead of letting the issue go to the ballot — which is supposedly what Right to Life was petitioning for — the Legislature chose to enact the law, preventing voters from having a say. That move also put Gov. Rick Snyder, who had earlier vetoed similar legislation, out of the loop.   

If the members of the Record-Eagle had done a minute or two of research (or maybe even taken the time to call a Right to Life of Michigan office), they would know that Right to Life of Michigan was not “supposedly” petitioning for the citizen-initiated abortion insurance legislation to go to the ballot.  In fact, Right to Life of Michigan lobbied the state legislature to vote on it in a timely fashion so that it would become law as soon as possible. 

For the Record-Eagle to claim the opposite shows a complete lack of research, most likely from a desire to fit our petition drive into the narrative of their editorial.  If the editorial board of the Record-Eagle had even taken the time to search their own archives of articles they would have found this article from December 2013 which notes Right to Life of Michigan “applauded” legislators for passing the law. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN'S ABORTION INSURANCE OPT-OUT LEGISLATION

Recent study show how prolife laws save lives

Michael New, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, has new research published in State Politics & Policy Quarterly which shows how various prolife laws help to decrease abortion rates. 

The findings pertain mainly to public funding restrictions, parental involvement laws, informed consent laws, and how legal status of abortion affects the incidence of abortion.

Those advocating pro-life laws take note: The results indicate that public funding restrictions reduce abortion rates 10 percent to 15 percent......

Regarding parental involvement laws, all of the 19 peer-reviewed studies analyzing the impact of parental involvement laws on abortion rates of minors showed a statistically significant decline ranging from 13 percent to 42 percent in the in-state abortion rate for minors, with most of the in-state minors’ abortion rate decline being in the 15 percent to 20 percent range.

FULL STORY

Lansing abortion clinic has 2 months to move or close for good after church leases space

In news that prolifers will cheer, a Lansing abortion clinic will be forced to move or close after a local church leased space in the building which currently houses the clinic. 

Lansing’s Church of the Resurrection this fall will take over space on East Grand River Avenue occupied by a women’s health clinic that provides abortions.

Resurrection will lease 4,100 square feet at 1601 E. Grand River Ave. beginning Oct. 1, said the Rev. Steve Mattson, pastor of the Catholic church located at 1531 E. Michigan Ave. That will force WomanCare of Lansing, currently housed in a suite there, to close or move.

FULL STORY

TODAY show features story on what babies are doing in the womb

This morning, the TODAY show featured a segment on what unborn children are doing in the womb including pointing out how children can learn in the womb.

Little ones spend nine months growing in the womb and what they experience in there is still a bit of a mystery. It’s hard for doctors to test what babies are doing and learning as they hang out inside mom.

But new studies are offering intriguing clues.

Life in the womb is much busier than you might expect, said Dr. Bill Fifer, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and a leading expert on fetal and newborn learning.

FULL STORY

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Pro-abortion college professor pleads no contest after stealing prolife sign, assaulting teen

Mireille Miller-Young has plead no contest to various charges after she stole a prolife sign and assaulted a prolife teen attempting to retrieve the sign. 

University of California at Santa Barbara Associate Professor Mireille Miller-Young was charged with one count each of grand theft, vandalism and battery in connection to the March 4 incident involving 16-year-old Thrin Short, her older sister, Joan, and other pro-life activists who were holding signs in a free speech zone on the campus when the professor went berserk.

Miller-Young, who remains employed by the university, and her attorney, Catherine Swysen, did not respond to requests for comment. The charges reportedly carry the possibility of jail time, but sources close to the matter say Miller-Young is likely to be ordered to pay a fine, perform community and undergo counseling when she’s sentenced on Aug. 14.

FULL STORY

Prolife volunteers make Metro Detroit Youth Day a fun, educational event for students

On July 9th, Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund participated in the Metro Detroit Youth Day at Belle Isle.  Around 35,000 youth attended this event and prolife volunteers worked with students on quiz boards and educated them about fetal development. 

Below are some pictures from this great event.

Testing youth knowledge on life with quiz boards

Talking about life

Youth Day Volunteers

Infographic finalists posted - vote for your favorite

Finalists for our Youth Infographic Contest have been posted on our website!

Vote for your favorite in both the 13-17 year-old division and the 18-22year-old division!

Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund's Youth Infographic Contest is for high school and college-aged Michigan youth.  An infographic is a graphic or visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.

Congressman Gary Peters co-sponsors federal legislation to allow abortion without limits up until birth

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing on a bill (S. 1696) which would overturn numerous prolife laws on the state level including a number of laws in Michigan, including our informed consent law and our law which regulates and requires inspections of abortion clinics.

As National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias testified at the hearing, “This bill is really about just one thing: it seeks to strip away from elected lawmakers the ability to provide even the most minimal protections for unborn children, at any stage of their pre-natal development,” Tobias told the committee. “Calling the bill the ‘Abortion Without Limits Until Birth Act’ would be more in line with truth-in-advertising standards.”

The House version of the bill is H.R. 3471 and is currently co-sponsored by three Michigan representatives, including Congressman Gary Peters.  H.R. 3471 and S. 1696 attempt to outlaw states from regulating abortion.  It’s designed to prevent duly-elected state lawmakers from enacting laws to regulate abortionists and abortion clinics.  

This means Congressman Peters wants to allow abortionists to operate with impunity. 

In Michigan, we’ve seen the horrific effects of not properly regulating abortion clinics and abortionists.

Operating room in Alexander's clinic (via MLive.com)

In Muskegon, the abortion clinic of abortionist Robert Alexander was closed in December of 2012 by the Muskegon Fire Department.  The only reason authorities went into the clinic was because a broken rear door was reported.  After police noticed “dried bloody handprints on the ultrasound machine and smears and blood splatters on the walls and floors throughout the business” and a host of other unsanitary conditions, the Fire Department and building code inspectors were brought in to inspect and found the building was unsafe.  

After Alexander’s clinic was closed, WOOD TV 8 did a number of investigative reports into Alexander and his clinic, including interviewing former patients and staff. 

The filthy condition of Alexander’s abortion clinic is clear evidence of what can happen when abortionists are not regulated and given the complete trust and self-rule that Congressman Peters would give them.

When the “good-faith medical judgment” of abortionists is given the final say on when an unborn child is viable and on what is considered providing care, you get abortionists like Robert Alexander and Kermit Gosnell performing post-viability abortions in horrific conditions.   

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PRO-ABORTION LEGISLATION

Senate Democrats hold hearing on radical pro-abortion bill

Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony on “Women’s Health Protection Act” (S. 1696).  Carol Tobias, National Right to Life Committee’s president, has called this legislation  “the most radical pro-abortion bill ever considered by Congress.”  She testified against the bill today. 

The bill is an updated and expanded version of the old “Freedom of Choice Act” that was championed by Barack Obama when he was a senator. The new bill would invalidate nearly all existing state limitations on abortion, and prohibit states from adopting new limitations in the future, including various types of laws specifically upheld as constitutionally permissible by the U.S. Supreme Court. Among the laws that the bill would nullify are requirements to provide women seeking abortion with specific information on their unborn child and on alternatives to abortion, laws providing reflection periods (waiting periods), laws allowing medical professionals to opt out of providing abortions, laws limiting the performance of abortions to licensed physicians, bans on elective abortion after 20 weeks, meaningful limits on abortion after viability, and bans on the use of abortion as a method of sex selection. These laws generally have broad public support in the states in which they are enacted, including support from substantial majorities of women.

FULL STORY

C-SPAN VIDEO OF TESTIMONY ON THE BILL

New Real Life Story: Knights of Columbus provide windows to the womb

Our most recent Real Prolife Story discusses the Knights of Columbus' work to get ultrasound machines into prolife pregnancy centers.

The first machine in Michigan purchased through the program was for the Center for Women pregnancy center in Jackson, in July 2009. Tom said 28 more machines have been purchased in Michigan since then, and number 30 is currently pending. According to the Knights of Columbus website, the organization had purchased 334 ultrasound machines as of April 2013, for a total cost of more than $8.5 million in donations. Tom said they have purchased so many machines that they are able to get a bulk rate on them.

“The ball began to roll after that first one, and the program continues to grow,” Tom said.

The local council in Jackson raised more than $12,000 for the first Michigan machine using small fundraisers and a baby bottle drive. Tom said other councils have used pancake breakfasts, fish frys, direct appeals to members and other methods for raising the funds.

FULL STORY

Prolife billboard in Mecosta County defaced by vandal(s)

A prolife billboard put up by Mecosta County Right to Life was defaced with spray paint over the 4th of July weekend.

On the other side next to a smiling baby, the sign simply says, “Choose Life.”

At least it did.

Sometime over Independence Day weekend, a person or perhaps a group decided to vandalize the sign. It had been up little more than a week before someone decided to destroy it with paint and hatred. Where a baby once smiled down, the words “Pro Choice” are now inscribed in cheap spray paint. The entire sign, both sides, stand ruined.

FULL STORY

Mark Schauer endorsed by leading abortion provider

Mark Schauer, a Democratic candidate for governor of Michigan, was recently endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.  In their press release announcing the endorsement, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan says that if elected governor, Schauer “will work” to repeal Michigan's Abortion Insurance Opt-Out.  If the law is repealed, Michigan residents would be forced to help pay for abortion through tax subsidies and health insurance premiums. 

Planned Parenthood is the leading abortion provider in America.  In they provided 327,166 abortions. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S ABORTION AGENDA    

Local prolife students group in Michigan wins June High School Group of the Month award

Stockbridge Students for Life in Stockbridge, Michigan (Ingham County) was awarded the June High School Group of the Month award by Students for Life of America.

Even before the group was officially approved by their school administration, students created a group Facebook page and Twitter account, which quickly grew in popularity and effectiveness at the school. Their page gathered over a 100 likes in the first 4 days.....

Stockbridge Students for Life has shown adept recruitment skills, especially for such a young and new group. When Stockbridge High School hosted 7^th and 8^th Grade Coming-Up Day, students hosted a Students for Life booth at the event. Because Stockbridge SFL showed their presence on their campus, the soon-to-be high school students became engaged and many signed up to join the club that day!

FULL STORY

Teleseminar today at 2 p.m. on Supreme Court decisions

Plan on attending a Supreme Decisions Teleseminar today. The Teleseminar will begin at 2 p.m. and will include Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing and Legislative Director Ed Rivet. Ed and Barb will discuss two of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. During the Teleseminar will learn more about the Massachusetts Buffer Zone Law which was struck down and the Hobby Lobby ruling regarding the Health and Human Services Mandate. Learn how these decisions impact our prolife work in Michigan. 

Please join us. The Teleseminar is open to all prolife people. We encourage you to share this information with prolife friends and family members.

Title: Supreme Decisions
Time: Tuesday, July 8 at 2 p.m.
Listening method: Phone + Web Simulcast
Phone number: (425) 440-5100
PIN Code: 662744#

To attend via the Internet visit:
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=57262746

“Hillarycare” legislation had religious conscience protections, why is Clinton opposed to those protections now?

While Hillary Clinton was rambling incoherently regarding the Supreme Court's decision in the Hobby Lobby case, she was probably unaware S. 2351, healthcare reform legislation which was introduced by Democrats in 1994 and dubbed “Hillarycare,” offered conscience protections to employers based on religious belief.

The 1994 legislation gave "any employer" an exemption from purchasing health care that covered "abortion or other services" if "the employer objects to such services on the basis of a religious belief or moral conviction."

FULL STORY  

Hillary Clinton embarrasses herself with statement on Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby

Former U.S. Senator and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently shared her thoughts on the Supreme Court decision in Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby and said a number of things which are completely untrue.  It’s almost as if she has no clue what the case was about. 

It’s very troubling that a sales clerk at Hobby Lobby who needs contraception, which is pretty expensive, is not going to get that service through her employer’s health care plan because her employer doesn’t think she should be using contraception,” Clinton said. “We’re always going to argue about abortion. It’s controversial. And that’s why I’m pro-choice, because I want people to be able to make their own choices.

This statement is wrong in so many ways.  Hobby Lobby’s health plan provides 16 different types of contraceptives to employees.  16 different types.  Hobby Lobby and their owners are not opposed to contraception and don’t attempt to prevent their employees from using contraceptives.  Hobby Lobby filed suit because their owners felt it violated their consciences to provide 4 other types of birth control which they believe can be abortifacient.

If Clinton was really in favor of people being able to make their own choices, then shouldn't she support the owners of Hobby Lobby and their choices regarding which forms of birth control they decide to cover?

FULL STORY

Michigan's prolife oratory contest winner represented our state well at National contest

 Hannah McBride, a home-schooled junior from Manistee, represented Michigan at the National Right to Life Oratory Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday. Her speech compared abortion to other past injustices and highlighted the value of all human life with the examples of a few notable people.

Though she did not win the national contest, she represented Michigan well and received a perfect score from one of the judges. She was the winner of the 25th Annual Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund High School Oratory Contest and Mason County Right to Life's local contest. Thank you Hannah!

Understanding Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

After the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby there’s been quite a bit of rancor and misinformation regarding the decision thrown about by individuals and organizations which don’t believe in or understand conscience rights and religious freedom of employers. 

Here’s Sarah Torre explaining the results:

Passed by Congress in 1993 by broad, bipartisan majorities, RFRA [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] protects Americans from substantial burdens on religious freedom unless the government can show it has a compelling government interest and does so in the least restrictive way possible. That’s a high bar and one the Obama Administration failed to meet under this mandate.

Today’s decision is a strong rejection of the Obama’s administration’s faulty argument that Americans’ religious freedom ends when they open a family business. The government cannot unreasonably force Americans to set aside their beliefs simply because they go into business to provide for themselves, their families, and their employees......

To be clear, the decision today applies only to the coercive Obamacare rule that was threatening the religious freedom of the Greens’ and Hahns’ family businesses. Other claims for religious exemptions by closely-held family businesses from other laws will have to be litigated on a case-by-case basis. RFRA doesn’t provide a blank check for religious believers to do whatever they want in the name of religion and neither does today’s decision.

While the ruling applies only to Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods, some individuals seem to think this ruling is part of the “War on Women.”

For example, Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Gary Peters showed a complete misunderstanding of the ruling and its implications.  In a blog post, the Peters campaign writes,

U.S. Senate Candidate Gary Peters strongly opposes today’s decision because he believes that women should be making their health care decisions with their doctors without interference from their employers.       

The ruling does nothing to prevent women from making health care decisions with her doctors.  It merely says that if a woman is employed by an employer whose religious convictions tell them covering certain types of contraceptives violates their conscience then the employees can pay for their own contraceptives. 

The blog post continues by saying Congressman Peters is “very concerned that today’s decision will turn back the clock on Michigan women who should be in charge of their health care decisions.”

The reality is that the mandate requiring employers to cover the birth control of their employees didn’t take place for new insurance plans until August 1, 2012.  So Peters is fearful that the Supreme Court is taking Hobby Lobby employees back the “stone age” of July 2012? 

Michigan Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement claiming,

The ruling tells millions of women today that despite what our doctors tell us is best for our health, we must abide by what our employers say they're willing to provide us instead.

   
Women who desire to use contraceptives can still do so.  The federal government simply can’t force the owners of Hobby Lobby to violate their religious consciences and require them to cover all 20 different kinds of contraceptives (Hobby Lobby willingly covers 16 of the 20 different types of contraceptives but chooses not to cover those chemicals or devices which may have abortifacient effects).

The world is not ending.  The sky is not falling.  Contraceptives will still be available and covered by the vast majority of employers. 

It is sad when our public officials have such a limited understanding of Supreme Court cases and results and use their positions to badly misinform their constituents. 

Planned Parenthood awards clinics for providing more abortions

Abortion advocates often claim they want abortion to be safe, legal and rare.  Planned Parenthood will even claim they do more to reduce abortions than any prolife efforts. 

If Planned Parenthood really wanted there to be fewer abortions, then you’d think they would congratulate their centers for performing fewer abortions, right? 

The reality is the opposite.  They reward and congratulate clinics who increase the number of abortions they performed. 

An abortion clinic employee who recently left her job provided this image of certificate given out by Planned Parenthood of Rocky Mountains to its Aurora clinic "for exceeding abortion visits" compared to the year before.

FULL STORY

Faith, Conscience and Commonsense Win the Day

In response to the United States Supreme Court ruling in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby, the following statement may be attributed to Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing.

"Today's ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties is a critical victory in protecting the right of conscience and religious liberty against government overreach. This case was much more about the proper role of government than about contraception and abortion-causing drugs. No one should be fined for following their faith; and employees should not be unwillingly complicit in participating in health insurance which destroys members of the human family. The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that the core principles on which this country was founded are enshrined in the Constitution for the protection of individuals, businesses, and religious organizations.

"At issue are business owners who object on religious grounds to providing certain chemicals or devices which may cause an abortion and are mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services. It should be noted that this decision is not about all contraception; this decision makes the needed distinction between contraception and chemicals or devises which have been labeled as 'contraceptives' by the Food and Drug Administration but may have abortifacient effects.

"We are studying the opinion carefully in light of the case Right to Life of Michigan filed against the Obama administration on many of the same grounds as Hobby Lobby. Though RLM takes a neutral stance on true contraceptive drugs and devices, we have always objected to those which can cause an early abortion. As an organization formed specifically to promote the uniqueness and sanctity of each human life, RLM has a right to provide health insurance to its employees without violating its very basis for existence."

BURWELL V. HOBBY LOBBY DECISION

Prolife representative defends decision to provide funding to mothers in need

Representative Andrea LaFontaine recently penned a piece to defend the Michigan legislature’s decision to provide funding to the Real Alternatives program which helps pregnant women carry their children to term.

When a woman is faced with an unexpected pregnancy, one challenging choice becomes life-changing. For the women who choose life, this counseling program provides a support mechanism that includes an informed, personal relationship, not just a pamphlet they can find online. Providing resources to those who have chosen parenthood can be as simple as a free supply of diapers or a few face-to-face conversations with real people who have professional training and can share helpful information. This is exactly what Real Alternatives has just begun doing for Michigan moms.

With 2014 as its first year operating in Michigan, Real Alternatives is working to establish helpful programs for real moms through existing support centers in the southern region of the state. This requires training local professionals to properly implement the program, an effort that simply takes time. Nine service locations are currently utilizing the Real Alternatives program and five additional locations will be providing those same services by the end of this fiscal year.

FULL EDITORIAL

Track star runs race while 34 weeks pregnant

At 34-weeks pregnant, Alysia Montano recently ran the 800 meters at U.S. Track and Field Championships.  While she placed last in her qualifying heat and was about 35 seconds slower than her personal best, she still ran at a solid pace and received the approval of the crowd.

Thirty-four weeks pregnant, Montano ran the 800 meters Thursday in the U.S. Track and Field Championships. The five-time national champion finished in 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds — nearly 35 seconds slower than her personal best of 1:57.34 in 2010 in Monaco.

“I’ve been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process,” Montano said after the qualifying heat.

That the 28-year-old former University of California star finished last in her heat didn’t matter one bit to the crowd gathered at Hornet Stadium. Trailing the lead pack by more than 120 meters for most of the race, Montano received a rousing ovation as she finished her first lap and the cheering grew louder when she finally crossed the finish line.

FULL STORY

Oppressive Massachusetts abortion clinic buffer zone law struck down

The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a 2007 Massachusetts law that created a 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics violated the First Amendment right to free speech. The McCullen v. Coakley decision is a victory not only for the plaintiff in this case, 77-year-old sidewalk counselor Eleanor McCullen, but for prolife people everywhere. The justices found that the right of free speech, a long-standing principle of individual freedom, had been needlessly encroached upon.

The sole purpose of Right to Life of Michigan is to support and uphold the sanctity of human life; the justices on the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the importance of the freedom to engage in outreach and public advocacy.

RLM is pleased that those volunteers and sidewalk counselors who spend time in front of abortion businesses in Massachusetts will be able to continue their ministry. This decision could make the difference between life and death for the unborn child whose mother has scheduled an abortion.

Prolife people work in many ways, and for some their outreach is being a kind and loving voice for women and families entering abortion businesses. On beautiful sunny days and during cold winter storms, these individuals express the sanctity of human life by being present outside abortion businesses letting mothers know life-affirming options are available.

The McCullen v. Coakley decision is a victory for the First Amendment right to free speech and a victory for the passionate people who stand witness to life.

McCullen v. Coakley Decision


Hobby Lobby Update

On Monday, June 30, 2014, it is expected the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will hand down their decision in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby. The Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties decision will determine if businesses can consciously choose the elements of health care plans they provide to employees. At issue are business owners who object on religious grounds to providing certain chemicals or devices which may cause an abortion and are mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Right to Life of Michigan will respond when the U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision on the Hobby Lobby case.