Virginia Beach, Va. â Americaâs pro-life leaders, womenâs advocates
âWe have arrived at a pivotal moment for the pro-life movement and the culture war for the very soul of our nation. If there is any positive outcome from states such as Virginia, New York, and others pushing extreme abortion bills earlier this year, it is that perhaps a sleeping public has been awakened to the true nature of Roe v. Wade,â said NIFLA President and Founder Thomas Glessner to celebration attendees. âHow did it come to this? It came to this when our government decided there is such a thing as a life unworthy of life. That is what Roe and its adherents have to defend.â
âThe post-NIFLA v. Becerra legal landscape is dramatically different,â added Anne OâConnor, NIFLA Vice President of Legal Affairs. âThe Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot force anyone to express a message that violates their convictions. NIFLA stands ready to continue protecting pregnancy centers so that they can continue to provide life-saving resources to mothers, families
State Rep. Katrina Jackson, a Democrat who represents Louisiana House District 16, delivered the keynote address for NIFLAâs Celebrate Life Luncheon after receiving the NIFLA 2019 Life Legislator award for her inspirational work in support of life.
âIt doesnât matter if you are Democrat or Republican, black or white, in Louisiana we fight for life,â Jackson said to the applause of those gathered. âWe donât do it for ourselves, because someone has already chosen life for us. For those that cannot speak for themselves, we fight for life. Because itâs the right thing to do, we fight for life. Because we know that every time someone doesnât speak out their silence means consentâwe fight for life. When I am asked as to why I am a black, female, Democrat fighting for life, I tell them I am a Christian first,â continued Rep. Jackson. âThere is no blood more innocent than an unborn child. So on behalf of these childrenâregardless of being Republican or Democrat, black or white, male or femaleâtogether, we will fight for life.â
State Del. Mark Cole, a Republican who represents Virginia House District 88, also received NIFLAâs 2019 Life Legislator award during the luncheon and addressed those assembled. âIâm pro-life, and I think the government has a responsibility to protect innocent life,â Cole said. âThanks to the Supreme Courtâs favorable ruling in NIFLA v. Becerra and other significant moments over the past year, the public has become more educated on the issue of life, and more women are choosing life over abortion. New studies show the average American has come to oppose the concept of abortion on demand. I am proud to support NIFLA and their work on the front lines of the battle for life.â
Many attendees of NIFLAâs celebration luncheon also participated in NIFLAâs 2019 National Legal and Medical Summit. Summit seminars and workshops focused on the legal landscape post-NIFLA v. Becerra, as well as preparing for the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade. Education on the legal rights of 501 (c)3 organizations, the realities of abortionâs impact on womenâs health, regulatory and legislative challenges facing pregnancy centers and other important topics were also discussed.
NIFLA is a national nonprofit providing legal counsel, education, and training for pro-life pregnancy centers and medical clinics. Representing a network of nearly 1,500 pregnancy centers across the nation, NIFLA has challenged laws targeting its members in several states including California, Hawaii, and Illinois.
Watch the luncheon program below: