Week in Review – State victories and keeping up with social media changes
Last Saturday, 34,000-plus citizens of Lubbock, Texas, went to the voting booth, and 62 percent of them voted to approve a local ordinance that makes Lubbock a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.” As we explain in this article, the vote does not immediately end abortions in Lubbock, but it does immediately give close relatives (mother, father, grandparents, siblings, and half-siblings) of the unborn child killed in the abortion the right to sue the abortion provider and others. The mayor of Lubbock issued the following statement after the vote: “Over the course of several months, Lubbock citizens who support the ordinance and those opposed have expressed their thoughts in public forums and engaged in passionate debate on this sensitive issue. Today, voters made it clear that Lubbock will become the next sanctuary city for the unborn. I am encouraged by the significant voter turnout. On behalf of the City Council, our duty as elected officials is to begin the process in adding the approved ordinance to the City of Lubbock Code of Ordinances, as directed by the Lubbock City Charter. The Lubbock City Council, per state law, will canvass the votes from this election on Tuesday, May 11, with a likely ordinance effective date as early as June 1.”
In the state of Arkansas, legislators passed and the governor signed into law the Arkansas Student Protection Act (HB 1592). The Act says: “A public school or open-enrollment public charter school shall not knowingly enter into any type of transaction with an individual or entity that: (1) Performs abortions; (2) Induces abortions; or (3) Provides abortions.” The act will protect children from the indoctrination provided by organizations such as Planned Parenthood that make millions of dollars killing preborn children. It was encouraging to note that the votes in the legislature were not even close: 73-18 in the House and 27-5 in the Senate. Praise God!
The legislature of the state of North Dakota also passed legislation this week that said: “Any institution [school] that enters into a contract with ‘a person that performs or promotes the performance of an abortion’ would have its operating budget cut by 2.5%. The school official signing the contract also would face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.” As in Arkansas, the North Dakota bill passed by wide margins (66-25 and 35-11).
We are all aware that social media is attempting to shut down pro-life groups and stop all discussion of topics from a pro-life perspective. This includes both Twitter and Facebook banning former president Donald Trump and Mike Lindell (the My Pillow guy). This week, Trump released his own platform to get his messages out: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/desk. At the present time, the site is only one-way and does not accept comments, but we understand this will change in the future.
In a similar vein, Mike Lindell announced this week that he is launching FRANK (the voice of free speech) soon. His site can be found at https://home.frankspeech.com.
In another case of censorship, LifeSiteNews reports that “Many of our faithful followers have noted they’re not seeing our posts in their social media feeds, or they’re not allowed to share or send our posts. A few months ago, we moved over to Parler to begin building our presence on this uncensored platform. With the recent increase in Parler users, we want to make sure that you’re following us there so you can actually see our news. Parler is dedicated to being a censorship free platform. If you want to actually see our news while using social media, then sign-up for a Parler account and be sure to follow @lifesitenews. We are also on Gab, another social network ‘that champions free speech, individual liberty and the free flow of information online.’ You can follow us on Gab here.”
As part of our Pro-Life This Week (PLTW) coverage, we will keep you up to date as valued pro-life groups and information centers move to uncensored web platforms. Just check us each week.
ALL in the News – Judie Brown Comments on Archbishop Cordileone’s Defense of the Eucharist; Hugh Brown Quoted in Townhall
This week, Judie Brown was interviewed by One News Now on San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone condemning abortion and pro-abortion politicians who receive Communion. Judie commended Bishop Cordileone for his courage in standing up for Our Lord in the Eucharist.
On April 29, American Life League executive vice-president Hugh Brown was asked to comment for a Townhall article on the USCCB discussing Biden and the Holy Eucharist. Hugh was quoted saying that the fact the USCCB has to even discuss such a matter is a sham where the Catholic faith is concerned.
Every Friday afternoon, the American Life League social media team, Dwain Currier and Katie Brown, host the Friday Live Show on Instagram Live. Last week, the duo discussed the herd immunity project at the Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as the question of the week: How many babies have been aborted since 1973? The show regularly discusses current events and provides young adults a platform where they can have their culture of life questions answered. Replays of the show can be found on Facebook.
This week, American Life League executive vice-president Hugh Brown was a guest on Alan Keyes’ segment on IAMTV. Hugh and Alan regularly discuss hot-button political issues pertaining to our country and the culture of life. The full interview will appear on the show “Let’s Talk America with Alan Keyes”. Clips of the show can be found on ALL’s Facebook page.
Twice a week, Judie Brown’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s Tuesday commentary, The Wrong Conversation, was featured on the front page of ALL.org. Each commentary is also featured as a part of Judie’s recurring column on Renew America.
Jim Sedlak’s Pro-Life Activism from Creation to Death is a weekly talk-radio program on the Radio Maria USA network. The show can be heard live every Friday at noon (Eastern Time) and is repeated on Saturdays (10 PM).
Video of the Week – Herd Immunity. Is anyone studying it?
Is there any good news come out of all the information surrounding COVID-19? Researchers at the Franciscan University of Steubenville are studying herd immunity among its students, and American Life League is privileged to be helping underwrite this important project.
Action Item of the Week – Mothers’ Day—a time for thanks
Pro-lifers everywhere are used to interacting with mothers.
In addition to their own mothers and grandmothers, every woman seeking to have an abortion is already a mother.
Many women today, especially those in their 20s and 30s, do not understand the true dignity of motherhood. Being a mother is a blessing, and honoring our mothers on Mother’s Day is a privilege. In the last century, Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty, head of the Catholic Church in Hungary, wrote a reflection on motherhood.
He wrote:
“The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honour of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral – a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body. The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation … What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?”
– Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
As if to emphasize the importance of mothers, God sent His only Son to earth, not as a 30-year-old man appearing from nowhere to preach the Word, but as a babe in the womb of His mother Mary.
This is a world that has numerous circumstances that separate our birth mothers from us even at a young age. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we rightly include all our adoptive and foster mothers who cooperated with God in raising us to be who we are today.
So, this Sunday, please remember ALL THE MOTHERS IN YOUR LIFE. Although mothers-in-law frequently get a bad rap, remember that she is the mother of the spouse with whom you have chosen to spend the rest of your life. So, get together with, or at least call or text, your mother and grandmothers. If your mother has died, let us remember her in our prayers and always keep her front-and-center in our memories. Whatever may have transpired during your life, she is the one, cooperating with God, who gave you your existence.
Please also remember our Blessed Mother. She is in Heaven with her Son, willing at any time to obtain graces for you and to guide you to your eternal reward in Heaven.
Finally, if you are a mother . . . thank you.
(NOTE: a prayer card/bookmark with Cardinal Mindszenty’s reflection on mothers is available from the American Life League store.
Pro-life Social Media – ‘Damnable heresy.’ Catholics for Choice Hell-Bent on Sending Souls to Satan
This is becoming a weekly habit. The demonic “Catholics for Choice” posts a tweet raising eyebrows to galactic levels.
Abortion is not a sin.
— Catholics for Choice (@Catholic4Choice) May 4, 2021
It’s okay to get an abortion because you want an abortion.
Isn’t this something Satan would say?
§2270 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (emphasis added):
Since the first century, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:
You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
Every sin committed is the loss of grace and separation from God. By contradicting the laws of God and Church teaching, Catholics for Choice is literally directing people to Hell.
No, it is not okay. https://t.co/CcnJeQzDBa
— Catholic Answers (@catholiccom) May 4, 2021
“It’s ok to have it.”
— C.E.Vincent (@CristianoEncend) May 6, 2021
Now, where have I heard that one before? pic.twitter.com/A1s2UgGHsb
It’s all crystal clear. A very grave and mortal sin. pic.twitter.com/ei4pGRLcSL
— Cavallinh0 (@Cavallinh0) May 5, 2021
As an atheist, you sicken me.
— Secretary of Akkad (@AkkadSecretary) May 5, 2021
When you’ve lost faith from the atheists . . .
This is damnable heresy.
— Billy Gribbin (@BillyGribbin) May 6, 2021
I am not Catholic, but I’m fairly certain your position flies in the face of Catholic teaching.
— MK (@MattKnudson1) May 5, 2021
“murder is not a sin.
— Elisha (@ElishaKrauss) May 5, 2021
It’s okay to murder someone because you want to murder someone.” https://t.co/J8lznQoPP5
That pretty much sums it up.
