May 8, 2024 | Press Release
ST. PAUL — A large crowd of Minnesotans rallied today at the Minnesota Capitol in opposition to the House version of the Equal Rights Amendment (SF 37). Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) held a press conference beforehand to spotlight deception on abortion in the legislation.
“The proposed ballot language simply states that no one should be discriminated against based on ‘pregnancy,’ which, of course, every citizen of this state would agree with,” explained MCCL Co-Executive Director Cathy Blaeser. “We all oppose discrimination against someone based on the fact of their pregnancy. But the actual language which would go into our Constitution would provide a fundamental right to make decisions about ‘becoming and remaining pregnant’ with no protection for babies at any gestational age, including healthy but inconvenient viable babies.”
“This is not your grandmother’s ERA,” said Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake), a member of the Rules Committee that heard the bill on Monday. “This enshrines abortion in our state Constitution up until the moment of birth, and it doesn’t even use the word ‘abortion’ in the question before the people. ... This is not transparent. This did not go to all the committees that it needs to go to.”
“My generation does not want this abortion extremism,” said college student Carrena Falls. “Gen Z values justice and true equality, and this is quite the opposite. We expect transparency and honesty and respect from our government officials, who only hold their office because of the people who trusted them enough to put them there. Legislators, do not betray our trust. Listen to us and what we believe.”
Minnesota law already allows abortion without limits, but SF 37 would enshrine it into the Constitution and prevent future lawmakers from enacting even commonsense abortion policies. The proposal also excludes language safeguarding conscience and religious rights, removing protection for “creed” that was included in a previous version.
Only 30 percent of Minnesotans support the current no-limits abortion policy, according to both a Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 poll and a KSTP/SurveyUSA poll.
During the press conference, MCCL also provided an update on its media campaign against the ERA, which includes extensive TV, radio, and newspaper advertising.
SF 37 passed the Rules Committee this week by a vote of 9-5 and now goes to the full House for a floor vote. The 2024 session runs through Monday, May 20.