On Wednesday, by a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last minute appeal from pro-abortion groups to block the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB8) from taking effect.
The decision means that unborn babies in Texas are now legally protected from the first detectable heartbeat (around five to six weeks gestation). It is a major victory for the right to life and shows what can be achieved when pro-life people stay focussed and never lose heart in defending the noble cause of life.
Responding to this week's amazing news, Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life (NRLC), said: “Hopefully, this law will begin saving the lives of tens of thousands of Texas babies and we look forward to the day that babies’ lives will be spared across America,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life (NRLC).
She continued, “We applaud the efforts of our affiliate, Texas Right to Life, and pro-life Texans who have been devoted to providing a voice for the voiceless. We praise all of our state affiliates who have diligently and tirelessly worked with state legislators to protect unborn babies by passing laws that protect children whose hearts have begun to beat, babies who feel pain, and to prevent gruesome and horrific dismemberment abortions.”
The latest developments in Texas come just weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on a Mississippi law that protects unborn babies after 15-weeks gestation.
In recent times, more than 60 laws protecting unborn babies have been passed in state legislatures across the US. It's a tremendous sign of hope for the future. The pro-life movement in the US however is going to come under heightened attack and demonisation from the media and political establishment as more pro-life victories are secured. Abortion supporters seem prepared to go to just about any lengths to defend the killing of unborn human life. But almost 50 years on from the Roe v. Wade decision that legalised abortion in the US, the pro-life movement there has never been stronger, or so close to overturning that destructive and life-ending ruling.
Watch this short Instagram video to see the impact the new law in Texas is having already!
RTÉ's main report (1st September) on the new pro-life law in Texas featured the reactions of 4 pro-abortion activists (including President Biden) and not a single mention from any pro-life individual or group.
The entire report focussed on undermining the new law and withheld from listeners and viewers the opportunity to hear a defence of the new law so they could make up their own minds.
None of this will come as a surprise to pro-life supporters but it's useful nonetheless to document the slanted coverage whenever it happens. The PLC's e-card to RTÉ is continuing. It is an important feature of a bigger campaign to force the National Broadcaster to account for its biased coverage of the abortion issue.
The e-card simply and reasonably asks the Director General to explain why pro-life supporters should continue paying the licence fee given RTÉ's outrageously biased coverage.
Take 30 seconds to sign the e-card today if you haven’t done so already. And PLEASE, PLEASE share this link with family and friends.
Brazilian media outlets have reported that a young pregnant woman, Tassila Kenha, 24, was found murdered after refusing to have an abortion that her boyfriend sought.
Tassila, who was training to be a firefighter in Tomé-açu went missing after leaving home to go shopping. As relatives and neighbours searched the area for her, the heartbreaking news came that a body had been found on a road outside the town.
Two days later, police arrested her boyfriend on suspicion of murder. Tassila's family told police she was pregnant by an unnamed boyfriend, who had wanted her to get an abortion but she refused. It was discovered that a few days earlier he had transferred roughly €150 to her bank account, presumably to pay for the abortion.
The investigation continues, with detectives reportedly seeking to find out if anyone else was involved, according to local paper O Liberal.
Tassila's tragic story is another reminder of the reality of coercive abortion that's not just confined to other countries but happens in Ireland too. The issue is shrouded in secrecy at the behest of abortion campaigners who don't want to address the issue as it undermines their fallacious pro-abortion slogan about "choice".
Later this month, Students for Life of America will launch an ambitious project called: The Campaign for Abortion Free Cities
In preparation for the roll-out of the initiative, the group says: "In communities across America, the resources exist to serve families facing an unplanned pregnancy and end abortion. Yet, those resources are often unknown to those in the most need… and a coordinated effort to change the minds of those most targeted by the abortion industry does not yet exist…"
Watch the short Instagram video introducing the project here
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue.
We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".
Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.
Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer.
Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!
Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.
Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
The Future Leaders Programme is an intensive two-month course that will equip you with the skills, arguments and motivation to promote the pro-life vision in the public square.
It will impart skills that will encourage participants to become proactive, organised and to enhance their personal effectiveness as political activists and communicators in the cause of protecting life.
Course content will be delivered by Irish and international experts. The course will take place three times each year.
After completing this course, participants will:
Understand the legal and medical realities surrounding the protection of life in Ireland and the EU
Appreciate the challenges faced by parents with an unplanned pregnancy and be aware of the supports available to them
Be capable of developing logically sound and emotionally compelling arguments aimed at promoting the right to life
Be capable of using both traditional and social media to promote the pro-life message efficiently and effectively
Have experience of debating the pro-life issue in a television or radio studio
Understand the Irish and EU political systems and ways that individuals and groups can influence them
Have an enjoyable experience and create new friendships with those who share the same respect for the right to life
The next course takes place Online commencing on Monday, 20th September 2021 for eight weeks. The course will take place from 7pm – 9:30pm. A day long studio programme in Dublin and a trip to Leinster House will be included (both of these events will happen at a future date when it is safe to do so).
If you wish to apply to attend the course, please complete the form in the link by Friday, 11th September 2021 and we will get back to you. There are 15 sponsored places available for suitable participants. This is an exciting opportunity designed specifically for young people, aged 18-30, who are committed to the pro-life cause. Please encourage anyone you think suitable to apply!
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
