May 12, 2022 | Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS — Today Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), Minnesota’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, joined an open letter from the National Right to Life Committee and leaders of more than 70 other state, national, and international pro-life organizations. The letter urged state lawmakers across the country to reject legislation and policy initiatives that would impose criminal penalties on women who have abortions.
“As national and state pro-life organizations, representing tens of millions of pro-life men, women, and children across the country, let us be clear: We state unequivocally that any measure seeking to criminalize or punish women is not pro-life and we stand firmly opposed to such efforts,” explained the joint letter.
“There are two victims in every abortion: the unborn child who loses her life, and her mother who is left abandoned by the abortion industry to deal with any physical complications, as well as the emotional and psychological pain of the abortion trauma for months or even years to come,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “This joint letter recognizes that women who have abortions require our compassion and support, not criminalization.”
The letter comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. If the Court uses the case to overturn Roe v. Wade, recognizing that the Constitution does not require abortion-on-demand, the American people and their elected officials will once again determine abortion policy. In Minnesota, however, a state court ruling, Doe v. Gomez, would continue to prohibit legal protection for unborn children even if the Supreme Court no longer does.
“We will keep working, harder than ever, to protect unborn children in Minnesota. We believe that all human beings, no matter their age, size, or ability, have human rights,” said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. “And we will keep supporting and loving pregnant women, too, and women who have experienced the devastation of abortion. Love for mother and child is what the pro-life movement is all about.”