Week in Review – The movie; good legislative efforts; Virginia MFL; and Title X funding
The movie, UNPLANNED, had outstanding results at the box office last week as it grossed $6.1 million and came in fifth among all the movies in theaters last week. With an initial showing on 1,059 screens last weekend, it will reportedly expand to 1,700 screens this weekend. If you are a junior in high school, or older, and have not seen the movie, we encourage you to do so. If you are a parent wondering about taking your children, we recommend you read the review on the Culture of Life Studies website.
We are all aware of the outrageous legislation either passed or trying to be passed by the culture of death in the United States. The horrible bill in New York is just one example. Well, good lawmakers in a number of states are introducing legislation to stop all abortions in their states. As Judie Brown noted in her press release this week, seven state legislatures are clearly committed to stopping the madness of killing babies prior to birth. Each of these laws challenges the fundamental premise of Roe, which is that the baby is not a person and therefore does not deserve protection. Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington are considering bills that, while not perfect, are indeed a step in the right direction.
On Wednesday April 3, 2019, American Life League representatives were joined by thousands of Virginians for the first-ever Virginia March for Life. The crowd gathered at the governor’s mansion in Richmond, with so many people in attendance that the crowd had to spill over onto the surrounding sidewalks and streets. The march was in response to a bill introduced (and subsequently defeated) by Delegate Kathy Tran that would have legalized abortion even during delivery. In addition, the absolutely disgusting remarks about infanticide that came from Virginia governor, Ralph Northam, added to the statewide outrage. Virginians from all over the state, including thousands of young people, gathered to protest the justification of murder. It was so encouraging to see such a massive crowd at a first-time event. Students from Virginia schools covered the area; you couldn’t view the crowd without seeing multiple students in school uniforms. This young generation carried themselves with dignity, as they made a statement right in the middle of downtown Richmond. The march was by far one of the most peaceful and beautiful events we have ever attended. American Life League was honored to have been among the some 6,000 other Virginias who stood up for life in these trying times.
Last Friday, the Trump administration awarded a $5.1 million Title X family planning grant to the California-based Obria Group. According to a press release from Obria, it is “is a nonprofit affiliate network that operates 21 health clinics and 11 mobile clinics in five states with 78 licensed medical professionals providing comprehensive health care services including: pregnancy testing and counseling, prenatal care through delivery, HIV/AIDS testing, pregnancy ultrasound, breast and cervical cancer testing, well-woman care and pap smears, STD testing and treatment, sexual risk avoidance education, adoption referral, and post-abortion support. Obria clinics do not provide contraceptives and do not do abortions, offering women and their families healthy, life-affirming care.” (Emphasis added)
While giving the grant to Obria, the Trump administration stripped funding from four Planned Parenthood affiliates (Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin) that operate clinics in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin and Virginia.
ALL in the News – UNPLANNED comments and pro-life activism from Richmond (VA) to Bryan (TX)
NEWSWEEK and NEW American quoted Judie Brown in stories about the movie, UNPLANNED.
Judie Brown was also quoted several times in an article on the CHRIST OR CHAOS website.
In her commentary, “I” Is for Murder, Judie Brown examines the growing movement to accept infanticide as just another way of killing young human beings.
Jim Sedlak spent, over the years, a great deal of time assisting local pro-lifers in fighting the Planned Parenthood abortion facility where Abby Johnson became Planned Parenthood’s youngest clinic director. He was there at the final celebration—the day the flowers were placed on the fence outside the former PP building, as depicted in the final scene of the film, UNPLANNED. You can read his comments about the movie at Unplanned—The Movie.
Jim Sedlak’s Pro-Life Activism from Creation to Deathis a weekly talk-radio program on the Radio Maria USA network. His guest this week is Katie Brown, who will be talking about the March For Life in Richmond, Virginia. The show can be heard live every Friday at noon (Eastern Time) and is repeated on Saturdays (10 PM) and Mondays (10 PM).
Video of the Week – Abby Johnson, whose story is featured in the movie, ‘Unplanned’— opening today—describes in her own words how she left Planned Parenthood
Nine-and-a-half years ago, Abby Johnson left her job as director of Planned Parenthood in Bryan, TX. Two years later, Abby began her public speaking career, which included the following talk that she gave to the students at St. Michael the Archangel High School, a program of American Life League.
Action Item of the Week – Help the US House of Representatives pass the discharge petition
Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA), minority whip in the House of Representatives, has filed a discharge petition to override Democratic leadership and bring the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to the House floor. The bill, sponsored by Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO), would require that doctors provide medical care to infants born alive in attempted abortion procedures. In order to get the bill to the House floor for a vote, 218 signatures are required. There are 197 Republicans and that means 21 Democrats must sign. Below is a list of Democrats that you are asked to contact. Ask them to sign the discharge petition.
1. Dan Lipinski (IL-03) – Already signed
2. Collin Peterson (MN-07) – Already signed
3. Matt Cartwright (PA-08)
4. James Langevin (RI-02)
5. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
6. Lucy McBath (GA-06)
7. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)
8. Cindy Axne (IA-03)
9. Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
10. Sharice Davids (KS-03)
11. Jared Golden (ME-02)
12. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
13. Haley Stevens (MI-11)
14. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)
15. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
16. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22)
17. Kendra Horn (OK-05)
18. Conor Lamb (PA-17)
19. Joe Cunningham (SC-01)
20. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
21. Collin Allred (TX-32) – Already signed
22. Ben McAdams (UT-04)
23. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)
24. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01)
25. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02)
26. Dean Phillips (MN-03)
27. Antonio Delgado (NY-19)
28. Max Rose (NY-11)
29. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)
30. Susan Wild (PA-06)
31. Elaine Luria (VA-02)
“The Irony”: Planned Parenthood CEO Upset by Ohio’s Decision to Cut Funding to “Reduce Black Infant Mortality”
For some entities, government money can be an addiction. Once you get it, you can never get enough of it. Take Planned Parenthood.
Ohio’s Department of Health delivered an important notice recently. Planned Parenthood centers throughout the state can’t get their fix anymore. Ohio is cutting off state grants to the abortion corporation, now that the full 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has decided “affiliates do not have a due process right to perform abortions.”
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio oversees 19 of Ohio’s 24 Planned Parenthood centers. Its CEO, Iris E. Harvey, did not take the news well.
Gov DeWine is HEARTLESS. Just got a 30 day notice from Health Dept. Defunding Planned Parenthood work to reduce Black infant mortality, prevent violence against women, provide cancer screenings, HIV tests and sex education! All care health depts couldn’t do!
— IRIS E. Harvey (@CeoGreaterOhio) March 21, 2019
Perhaps Ohio’s public health centers couldn’t implement many of those programs because the money went to Planned Parenthood. Fox News reports Ohio giving approximately $600,000 in grants to Planned Parenthood. Imagine what real health care Ohio’s 113 health centers could do with that much money.
Harvey’s tweet didn’t go over so well.
A great day for the State of Ohio. They did what many states should do: pic.twitter.com/ixPEjWl0rp
— Mike Agrippe (@magrippe) March 22, 2019
There is something very rich, and very sick, about ever sending money to Planned Parenthood to “reduce black infant mortality”.
— Saltine Warrior (@dap260) March 22, 2019
Looks like the devil’s workshop is closing early👌
— storminnorman (@storminnormank) March 23, 2019
Our doors stay open!!
— IRIS E. Harvey (@CeoGreaterOhio) March 24, 2019
At least she didn’t refute that Planned Parenthood is “the devil’s workshop.”
“reduce blank infant mortality” 🤔 that’s cute coming from someone that’s oblivious to the fact that black women make up 13% of America yet have over 36% of all abortions. I guess black lives matter…. just not the little ones 😀
— Yang Yang Zhang (@MasterFisherYY) March 23, 2019
Good. Stop killing babies.
YOU, Ma’am, are the “heartless” one.
— Seth Gambee (@sethgambee) March 25, 2019
The irony and chutzpah of your tweet is quite telling. Arguing in defense of America’s number one perpetrator of Black infant mortality, while supposedly fighting against it. #Abortion #ProLife pic.twitter.com/ef26Ydh9A8
— Patrick O’Sullivan (@patrickuzor) March 26, 2019
Learn how to budget better.
— glenws68 (@glenws68) March 25, 2019
