Abortion on Abortion on Demand and Demand and

without Apologywithout Apology

When it comes to abortion, there is When it comes to abortion, there is ONLY ONEONLY ONE moral question: moral question:

Will women be fully emancipated human Will women be fully emancipated human beings in control of their lives and beings in control of their lives and reproduction?reproduction?

OROR

Will we be forced to submit to patriarchal Will we be forced to submit to patriarchal male authority and to breed against our male authority and to breed against our will?will?

An embryo is a fetus from An embryo is a fetus from fertilization until 8 weeks gestationfertilization until 8 weeks gestation

First Week – blastocyst implants about day 7

Embryonic developmentEmbryonic development

5 weeks 7 weeks

61.3% of abortions before 9 weeks

Fetal developmentFetal development

12 week10 week

88.7% of abortions are within the first trimester

A fetus is not a babyA fetus is not a baby

It is a clump of cells with the potential to It is a clump of cells with the potential to become a human being. It is not yet a become a human being. It is not yet a separate life from the life of the woman in separate life from the life of the woman in whose uterus it is.whose uterus it is.

It cannot survive on its own. It gets oxygen It cannot survive on its own. It gets oxygen and nutrients from the woman’s blood and and nutrients from the woman’s blood and excretes waste through the woman. excretes waste through the woman.

And this is true until it is born and becomes a And this is true until it is born and becomes a baby. It is no more an independent human baby. It is no more an independent human being than any other organ or part of a being than any other organ or part of a woman’s body.woman’s body.

Second TrimesterSecond Trimester

A fetus cannot survive outside of the uterus until 21 weeks – and then only with

a great deal of technological support

20 week fetus14 week fetus

Life Magazine pictures by Swedish Life Magazine pictures by Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson photographer Lennart Nilsson

Every picture you see of a fetus Every picture you see of a fetus leaves out the woman who is leaves out the woman who is

carrying itcarrying it

The changes that are taking place are only taking place because the woman’s physiology is making these changes happen.

2004 from www.guttmacher.com2004 from www.guttmacher.com

Why do women Why do women get late term get late term abortions?abortions?

Difficulty getting an abortionDifficulty getting an abortion

87% of all U.S. Counties do not have any abortion providers.87% of all U.S. Counties do not have any abortion providers.

Most of the women needing 2Most of the women needing 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd trimester trimester abortions live in these rural areas.abortions live in these rural areas.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Unservedcounties

Womeninunservedcounties

The number of hospitals providing The number of hospitals providing abortion services has greatly abortion services has greatly

diminished since 1980diminished since 1980

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000

Abortionclinic

Other clinic

Hospital

Physicians'office

Source: Finer and Henshaw, 2003

Number of Providers

Number of trained Doctors has Number of trained Doctors has decreased:decreased:

Nationally:Nationally: 19821982 2,908 doctors2,908 doctors

20052005 1,787 doctors1,787 doctors

State examples:State examples:MississippiMississippi 1 clinic1 clinicKansasKansas 2 clinics2 clinics

57% of all ob/gyns who perform abortion are 50 57% of all ob/gyns who perform abortion are 50 years of age or older.years of age or older.

Another reason women have difficulty Another reason women have difficulty getting abortions are restrictive laws.getting abortions are restrictive laws.

ExampleExample: Mississippi has one abortion clinic in : Mississippi has one abortion clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, which passed a law in Jackson, Mississippi, which passed a law in 1992 requiring a woman to receive in person 1992 requiring a woman to receive in person information about the fetus and “alternatives” information about the fetus and “alternatives” to abortion and then wait at least 24 hours to abortion and then wait at least 24 hours before getting an abortion.before getting an abortion.

When this law was passed late term When this law was passed late term abortions increased by 53%abortions increased by 53%

Fake clinicsFake clinics

In any event, a fetus is not a In any event, a fetus is not a baby until it is born and becomes baby until it is born and becomes a living, viable human being.a living, viable human being.

Women who do not have the Women who do not have the right to choose whether or not to right to choose whether or not to take their pregnancy to term at take their pregnancy to term at any stage, for any reason, have any stage, for any reason, have been reduced to a position of a been reduced to a position of a slave.slave.

““THE PILL” first THE PILL” first became available in became available in 19601960

Roe vs Wade passed Roe vs Wade passed in 1973in 1973

The pill + legal The pill + legal abortion = abortion =

Reproductive Reproductive Freedom Freedom

Reproductive freedom Reproductive freedom for women came in for women came in response to the response to the movements of the movements of the 60’s. 60’s.

It is long past due that we It is long past due that we re-seize the moral high re-seize the moral high ground and the initiative ground and the initiative

on this issueon this issue

Being pregnant is not a reason to Being pregnant is not a reason to have a baby!have a baby!

What is the so-called moral high What is the so-called moral high ground of the anti-abortionistsground of the anti-abortionists

They say they are saving They say they are saving babies…babies…

But what is this really about?But what is this really about?

American Life LeagueAmerican Life League

Mission Statement: “A.L.L. denies Mission Statement: “A.L.L. denies the moral acceptability of artificial the moral acceptability of artificial birth control and encourages each birth control and encourages each individual to trust in God, to individual to trust in God, to surrender to His will, and be pre-surrender to His will, and be pre-disposed to welcoming children.”disposed to welcoming children.”

Pro-life EncyclopediaPro-life Encyclopedia

““Contraception cannot be separated from abortion. In Contraception cannot be separated from abortion. In fact, anyone who debates on the topic of abortion will fact, anyone who debates on the topic of abortion will inevitably be drawn to the topic of artificial inevitably be drawn to the topic of artificial contraception over and over again, especially in the contraception over and over again, especially in the post-Roe era of pro-life activism…How does post-Roe era of pro-life activism…How does contraception lead to abortion? Quite simply, they are contraception lead to abortion? Quite simply, they are virtually indistinguishablevirtually indistinguishable in the psychological, in the psychological, physical and legal sense…those individuals who use physical and legal sense…those individuals who use artificial contraception take the critical step of artificial contraception take the critical step of separating sex from procreation. Contraception separating sex from procreation. Contraception not not abortionabortion was the first step down the slippery slope” was the first step down the slippery slope”

Randall Terry best known anti-abortion activists.

OPERATION RESCUE

Clinic Blockade

Los Angeles Fall 2009Los Angeles Fall 2009

Clinic Escorts LA Fall 2009Clinic Escorts LA Fall 2009

Clinic Bombings

Dr. Tiller was murdered on May 31, 2009 by Scott Roeder

A thousand people attended Dr. A thousand people attended Dr. Tiller’s funeralTiller’s funeral

Dr. Carhart – “Target #1” Operation Dr. Carhart – “Target #1” Operation RescueRescue

MurderMurder

At least 7 people have At least 7 people have been murdered by “pro-been murdered by “pro-life” activists. Many life” activists. Many others were injured with others were injured with bombs and guns.bombs and guns.

The Army of God (AOG)The Army of God (AOG)

Advocates the murder Advocates the murder of abortion providers as of abortion providers as the only way to really the only way to really stop abortion.stop abortion.The manual contains The manual contains not only strong anti-not only strong anti-abortion sentiments but abortion sentiments but also anti-government also anti-government and anti-gay/lesbian and anti-gay/lesbian language.language.

THE NUREMBERG FILESTHE NUREMBERG FILES

Mary E SmithMary E Smith, MD Family Practitioner, (maiden name: , MD Family Practitioner, (maiden name: Wilcox)TX DL#: 004233496 Wilcox)TX DL#: 004233496

Gender: FemaleGender: Female Race: WhiteRace: WhiteHeight : 5’ 9“Height : 5’ 9“ Weight: 160 poundsWeight: 160 poundsEye color: GreenEye color: GreenHair: Gray DOB: 12/16/44Hair: Gray DOB: 12/16/44HusbandHusband: Joseph A. DOB: 07/17/48: Joseph A. DOB: 07/17/48SonSon: Brian J. DOB: 12/29/77: Brian J. DOB: 12/29/77Son:Son: Mark D. DOB: 01/28/79 Mark D. DOB: 01/28/79

ResidenceResidence: 1900 Hollyhill Denton, TX 76205-8256 940-387-: 1900 Hollyhill Denton, TX 76205-8256 940-387-91739173ChurchChurch: First United Methodist 201 S Locust, Denton, TX : First United Methodist 201 S Locust, Denton, TX 76201 76201 940-382-5478940-382-5478Pastor: Gary MuellerPastor: Gary Mueller

Denton Health Services for WomenDenton Health Services for Women - 1019 N Elm St, Denton, - 1019 N Elm St, Denton, TX 76201 940-383-2609TX 76201 940-383-2609

Dr. David GunnDr. David Gunnshot in front ofshot in front ofabortion clinicabortion clinic

Michael GriffinMichael Griffin

First to murder an First to murder an abortion doctor onabortion doctor on

March 10, 1993March 10, 1993

On July 29, 1994On July 29, 1994murderedmurdered

Dr. Britton and Dr. Britton and BodyguardBodyguard

Paul HillPaul Hill

““American Hero”American Hero”

Saved “innocent babies Saved “innocent babies

from being murdered from being murdered

by babykilling by babykilling

abortionist”abortionist”

John Salvi IIIJohn Salvi III

December 30, 1994December 30, 1994

Followed in Paul Hill’s Followed in Paul Hill’s foot steps by:foot steps by:

Murdering Shannon Murdering Shannon Lowney and Lee Ann Lowney and Lee Ann NicholsNichols

Killed Killed

Robert Sanderson Robert Sanderson

and injuringand injuring

Emily LyonsEmily Lyons

Eric RudolphEric Rudolph

Bombed abortion clinicBombed abortion clinic

on on

January 29, 1998January 29, 1998

James KoppJames Kopp

On October 23, 1998On October 23, 1998

Dr. Bernard SlepianDr. Bernard Slepianshot in his home in shot in his home in New YorkNew York

South Dakota Ban on abortionSouth Dakota Ban on abortionMarch, 2006March, 2006

They want to force the issue before the Supreme CourtThey want to force the issue before the Supreme Court

Supreme Court AppointmentsSupreme Court Appointments

Roberts' confirmation as

chief justice 2005

Samuel Alito was Samuel Alito was

confirmed to the Supremeconfirmed to the Supreme

Court Jan. 31, 2006 Court Jan. 31, 2006

Both are Both are

Opposed to Roe vs WadeOpposed to Roe vs Wade

Bush signs the “Partial Birth Bush signs the “Partial Birth Abortion” Act in 2003Abortion” Act in 2003

LEGAL MOVERS TO GIVE A LEGAL MOVERS TO GIVE A FETUS ‘PERSONHOOD’FETUS ‘PERSONHOOD’

30,000 30,000 signatures signatures needed in needed in Alaska to put Alaska to put it on the it on the ballotballot

Legislation making a fetus and Legislation making a fetus and embryo a personembryo a person

Fetal homocide law Fetal homocide law – 34 states– 34 states

Scott PetersonScott Petersonwas convicted was convicted of Killing his of Killing his wife Laci and the wife Laci and the Fetus she was Fetus she was carrying carrying

Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004

”This new law acknowledges a common-sense proposition: When a crime of violence against a pregnant woman kills or injures her unborn child, there are two victims”

George W. Bush

Laci Conner Law

Health Insurance for the Fetus – Health Insurance for the Fetus – not the pregnant womannot the pregnant woman

1-30-02 – State Children’s Health 1-30-02 – State Children’s Health

Insurance Program – SCHIPInsurance Program – SCHIP

States can classify a fertilized egg as an States can classify a fertilized egg as an “unborn child” eligible for coverage “unborn child” eligible for coverage under the SCHIP, rather than allowing under the SCHIP, rather than allowing coverage of pregnant women under coverage of pregnant women under the programthe program

Woman charged with murder for Woman charged with murder for refusing c-sectionrefusing c-section

Melissa Rowland, aged 28, charged Melissa Rowland, aged 28, charged with murder in Salt Lake City, Utah, with murder in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a stillbirth. Prosecutors following a stillbirth. Prosecutors accused her of "depraved indifference accused her of "depraved indifference to human life" after she allegedly failed to human life" after she allegedly failed to undergo a timely caesarean section to undergo a timely caesarean section when pregnant with twins. when pregnant with twins.

Wrongful deathWrongful death

Illinois Judge Rules That Couple Can Illinois Judge Rules That Couple Can File Wrongful Death Suit Over File Wrongful Death Suit Over Accidentally Discarded EmbryoAccidentally Discarded Embryo

Feb 2005 Feb 2005

Todd Parrish and Alison Miller

Laws on birth controlLaws on birth control

Laws have been passed in Laws have been passed in South Dakota, Arkansas, and South Dakota, Arkansas, and Mississippi that legally allow Mississippi that legally allow pharmacists to refuse to fill pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions on birth control prescriptions on moral and religious grounds.moral and religious grounds.

What does Obama say about What does Obama say about abortion?abortion?

Demonstrations at Notre DameDemonstrations at Notre Dame

Obama has said:Obama has said:

- ““Abortion is never good”Abortion is never good”

- He made the point of distinguishing He made the point of distinguishing himself from those “who suggest that himself from those “who suggest that this (abortion) is simply an issue this (abortion) is simply an issue about women’s freedom and that about women’s freedom and that there’s no other considerationsthere’s no other considerations.”.”

The movement to forcibly deny women The movement to forcibly deny women the right to abortion and birth control the right to abortion and birth control is a movement to enslave women.is a movement to enslave women.

With its aims, its methods, and its With its aims, its methods, and its morality, there can be no morality, there can be no compromise.compromise.

‘ ‘Common ground’ can only exist if Common ground’ can only exist if one side capitulates to the other.one side capitulates to the other.

Pro-Choice MovementPro-Choice Movement

Will not stand with the abortion providers – Will not stand with the abortion providers – NARAL, NOW, the Feminist Majority did not attend NARAL, NOW, the Feminist Majority did not attend Dr. Tiller’s funeral.Dr. Tiller’s funeral.

S. Dakota ban – they didn’t condemn it, but said it S. Dakota ban – they didn’t condemn it, but said it went too far by failing to make exception for rape, went too far by failing to make exception for rape, incest and life of woman.incest and life of woman.

Stupak amendment NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Stupak amendment NARAL, Planned Parenthood, NOW, Fem Maj cancelled a “Day of Action” they NOW, Fem Maj cancelled a “Day of Action” they had called in favor of lobbying.had called in favor of lobbying.

The current situation is The current situation is NOT goodNOT good..

Recent Gallop poll indicated 51% in US Recent Gallop poll indicated 51% in US identify as “pro-life vs 42% as pro-choice.identify as “pro-life vs 42% as pro-choice.

22% think abortion should be outlawed in 22% think abortion should be outlawed in all casesall cases

23% think abortion should be allowed in all 23% think abortion should be allowed in all cases.cases.

The real problem is that for The real problem is that for decades the lunatic Christian decades the lunatic Christian

fascists have consistently fascists have consistently mobilized while the pro-choice mobilized while the pro-choice

“movement” has remained “movement” has remained largely passive and largely passive and

straitjacketed in the Democratic straitjacketed in the Democratic Party’s dynamic of capitulation.Party’s dynamic of capitulation.

What ‘common ground’ can What ‘common ground’ can there be with a movement there be with a movement whose aim is to enslave whose aim is to enslave women to our reproduction women to our reproduction and force us to bear and force us to bear children against our will?children against our will?

The morality we needThe morality we need

Break down all barriers to women being full Break down all barriers to women being full participants in every sphere of society to participants in every sphere of society to the full liberation of women as a part of the full liberation of women as a part of liberating all of humanity.liberating all of humanity.

There is a need for voices of clarity and There is a need for voices of clarity and conscience who make clear that women conscience who make clear that women ae not incubators!ae not incubators!

It is time for women who have had It is time for women who have had abortions to speak out and defiantly abortions to speak out and defiantly about this – to lift the shame and to about this – to lift the shame and to

challenge the stigma.challenge the stigma.

It is time to go back into the streets.It is time to go back into the streets.

We need to RE polarizeWe need to RE polarize

We need to seize back the moral We need to seize back the moral high-groundhigh-ground

Abortion must be available - Abortion must be available - on demand and without on demand and without

apology.apology.

Women are human beings capable of Women are human beings capable of participating fully and equally in every participating fully and equally in every sphere of society together with men.sphere of society together with men.

We must not be enslaved to our We must not be enslaved to our reproductionreproduction..

Changing all this and fully Changing all this and fully liberating women as part of liberating women as part of emancipating humanity as a emancipating humanity as a whole will ultimately require whole will ultimately require

revolution.revolution.