The elections were positive for the pro-life movement nationally, but we did face a setback in Colorado. Voters there legalized assisted suicide with 64 percent of the vote. While it was always going to be an uphill battle to win in Colorado, the
Denver Post did announce its opposition to Prop 106, giving pro-life forces a chance of victory. But it wasn't to be.
The results will only embolden groups like Compassion & Choices (formerly the "Hemlock Society"). Its next target, in addition to New Jersey, Hawaii, and New Mexico, is the American Medical Association (AMA). Today, Louisiana's own Dr. Jeff White testified before a panel in Orlando to urge the AMA to keep its opposition to assisted suicide in place.
On Saturday, Dr. White's op-ed appeared in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
Help us re-educate our nation that the response to pain and suffering is not premature death. Remember, the life you save may be your own.
For a Pro-Life Louisiana,
Benjamin Clapper
P.S. Congrats to our Associate Director, Ryan Verret, and his wife, Mary Rose, on the birth of their baby girl Maëlle last week!
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From left, LARTL board member Sharon Rodi, award recipients Suzanne Tierney and Brenda Desormeaux, and LARTL Associate Director Ryan Verret.
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Chers Bébés was a success for Acadiana youth education!
Acadiana and Louisiana Right to Life hosted the third annual Chers Bébés: Acadiana's Soirée For Life, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Le Pavillon in Lafayette.
Hundreds attended and were generous in their donations to the Dr. Zerben Bienvenu and Dr. William Smith Fund for Acadiana Pro-Life Education, which funds pro-life education of middle and high school students across Acadiana through interactive presentations and activities.
During the event, Brenda Desormeaux and Suzanne Tierney were honored at the event for their many years of service to the pro-life cause in Acadiana.
Thank you for your support of Acadiana pro-life education!
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NOLA Right to Life
Hosting Proudly
Pro-Life Dinner
New Orleans Right to Life will host the 18th annual Proudly Pro-Life Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at Chateau Country Club in Kenner.
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Sen. David Vitter
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This year's recipient of the Proudly Pro-Life Award is Sen. David Vitter. From his days in the Louisiana House of Representatives to his time in the U.S. Senate, Vitter has been a champion for life. As a U.S. Senator, Vitter has authored numerous pieces of pro-life legislation, helped secure funding for pro-life service agencies, and fought to advance the culture of life. Without question, Sen. David Vitter has been a proudly pro-life public servant.
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This past weekend high school and college student leaders gathered in Eunice for our fall PULSE Weekend Immersion to train to be more effective pro-life leaders. Not only did they learn a lot, but they also had a blast!
Our Youth Directors, Krista Corbello and Alex Seghers, didn't have too much rest, though. Krista spoke yesterday to the student body at Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, while Alex presented to students in Chackbay near Thibodaux. Today, Krista is in Alexandria and Alex is in New Orleans speaking to students. Way to go, Alex and Krista!
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Do Your Christmas
Shopping With Us!
Looking for that perfect Christmas gift for someone special? Look to us! You can purchase a 2017 Celebrate Life wall calendar, pro-life merchandise or a Luminary membership, or you can make a donation in someone's honor. All money raised goes toward defending life in the Louisiana through education, legislation, activism and service.
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Shop and Support Louisiana Right to Life
If you shop on Amazon you can support Louisiana Right to Life, at no extra cost to you! Be sure to start your shopping at Smile.Amazon.com for your purchase to count.
Click Here
to Get Started!
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5 Saves in Louisiana during 40 Days for Life
The fall 40 Days for Life Louisiana campaign came to a close Nov. 6. One save was reported from the New Orleans campaign, while the Shreveport-Bossier campaign reported four saves and 15 hopefuls. Shreveport-Bossier campaign chairman Chris Davis said there were also conversations with five abortion clinic workers there, and he asks for continued prayers for them.
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What Does the Election Mean for Pro-Life in Louisiana? Across the Nation?
By Benjamin Clapper
Executive Director
While pro-life progress has been in made in Louisiana over the past eight years, that progress has often been stifled by federal opposition. Like many others expecting Hillary Clinton to win the Presidency, we expected that opposition to remain, and possibly, become stronger.
But Donald Trump's surprising victory opens doors for the pro-life progress nationally and in Louisiana. Now, we must be careful in our optimism. With a slim pro-life majority in the Senate held in check by a pro-abortion block of Senators with the power of the filibuster, it is likely everything will not happen at once, or even go as planned.
But, even with that disclaimer, let's look at what we can hope will happen.
Possibilities for Louisiana
* No More Tax Money for Planned
Parenthood on Claiborne Avenue:
As Planned Parenthood looks to expand its abortion business in Louisiana, it has been our goal to ensure it, and any other abortion business, cannot receive tax dollars while performing abortions. The Obama Administration and the courts have been stonewalling any effort to put a firewall between abortion and tax dollars. Even legislation just passed this past legislative session to defund abortion businesses had a tough road ahead in the federal judiciary. For us to defund Planned Parenthood in Louisiana, we will need a law passed by Congress. President-elect Trump committed that as long as Planned Parenthood performed abortions, he was not in favor of them receiving our money.
* New Judges, New Decisions:
The recent Supreme Court decision preventing Texas from enforcing its law requiring abortion physicians to have admitting privileges at a local hospital was disappointing for our effort to protect the health and safety of women. Our similar 2014 law still hangs in limbo. We will need at least two new Supreme Court justices to make any profound changes in the high court. But it is not just the Supreme Court. The lower district and appellate courts took a strong pro-abortion turn under President Obama. With time, President Trump, assuming his judicial choices are consistent with his pledges, can stem the tide of Obama's judicial takeover.
Possibilities Nationally and Internationally
* Stopping Late-Term Abortions: Louisiana is one of 14 states that protects unborn babies after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If Congress can get that law to the President's desk, Trump has committed to signing it. Since 1973, there has never been a law enacted to protect any age range of unborn Americans. This would be an major step forward.
* Conscience Protections Possible: The Obama Administration subverted current regulations protecting the right of healthcare workers to object to participating in abortion, even allowing California to force religious groups to cover abortion in their insurance plans. A Trump Administration should be able to beef up loopholes found by President Obama.
* No More International Abortion Expansion: President-elect Trump is expected to reinstate President Reagan's "Mexico City Policy" that prohibits U.S. foreign aid from advancing abortion.
A Lesson from the Election for Planned Parenthood
There are many things that can be learned from the recent election. But there is one lesson I hope Planned Parenthood takes to heart: America does not support abortion-on-demand. And judging by this comment by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, on MSNBC last week, perhaps they have: "I think Roe vs. Wade was on the ballot in this election."
Planned Parenthood spent more than $30 million to elect its dream candidate as President. This mountain of cash enabled them to contact more voters than ever. The outcome? Not so positive.
The 2016 election, along with poll after poll, showed that Americans are not supportive of an abortion-on-demand agenda. Donald Trump, in the final debate, exposed Hillary's support of this agenda. While the election results were driven by many factors, Planned Parenthood has to wonder if its abortion money hurt Clinton's chances. In 2016, abortion was not a winning issue in America for Planned Parenthood or Hillary Clinton.
Important Louisiana Runoff Elections are Dec. 10
Early Voting: Nov. 26 - Dec. 3
Louisiana will have a new Senator on Dec. 10, either Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy or Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell.
Kennedy answered questionnaires provided by both Louisiana Right to Life and National Right to Life 100 percent pro-life. Campbell did not answer either questionnaire.
On the House side,
U.S. Rep. and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Congressman Garret Graves, all pro-life, were easily re-elected along with pro-abortion Congressman Cedric Richmond.
But the 3rd and 4th Congressional District seats are still undecided.
3rd Congressional District
Twelve candidates vied for the 3rd Congressional District seat, with two Republicans, Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins, winning the top two spots. Both have answered our questionnaire pro-life
4th Congressional District
Eight candidates vied for the 4th Congressional District seat, with Democrat Marshall Jones and Republican State Rep. Mike Johnson finishing as the top two vote-getters. Johnson, who has a 100% pro-life voting record, has answered our questionnaire 100% pro-life. Jones has not answered our questionnaire and does not have a voting record.
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Louisiana Life March
Events Coming Soon
to an Area Near You!
Will you march with us in 2017 and take a stand for mothers and their unborn children? There will be three Louisiana Life March events in Louisiana in 2017, and one is sure to be close to you.
The Louisiana Life March South is Jan. 21, 2017, in Baton Rouge, with marchers going from the Old State Capitol to the State Capitol. The Louisiana Life March North, from Bossier City's Boardwalk to Shreveport's Festival Plaza, is Jan. 28, 2017, and the Louisiana Life March Central, from Louisiana College in Pineville to Alexandria's ampitheatre, is Feb. 4, 2017.
The 2017 Life March theme is "Protect Them Both!" All marches begin at 10 a.m. and are scheduled to end at noon. Speakers have not been finalized but will be publicized soon.
Click below for details and downloads:
Saturday, Jan. 21:
Saturday, Feb 4:
If you would like to request materials to help publicize the events, please contact our office at 1.866.463.5433 or email info@prolifelouisiana.org.
Themed T-shirts for the 2017 Life March are also now available.
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Jan. 14, 2017:
Jan. 26, 2017:
Jan. 28, 2017:
Feb. 4, 2017:
La. Life March Central
Feb. 10-12, 2017:
PULSE Immersion Weekend, BR
April 28-30, 2017:
PULSE Immersion Weekend, Cov.
May 11, 2017:
Bowties for Babies
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