Mississippi

A bill is advancing in Louisiana that would ban every form of abortion in the state. House Bill, HB645, titled “The Human Life Protection Act,” passed the Health and Welfare Committee last week by a vote of 10-2. It revises the state’s definition of criminal feticide to include surgical abortion and prohibits the prescribing of abortion inducing drugs.

The legislative intent of the bill is clear as it upholds a longstanding policy of the state that every human being is a “legal person” and “entitled to the right to life from conception under the laws and Constitution of the state.”

While not perfect—particularly because of a section added in committee dealing with the criminal penalties for participating in an abortion—the legislation will permanently turn the signs at the abortion mills to “Closed!”

We continue to encourage the people of Louisiana in their steadfast pursuit of a state constitutional personhood amendment to recognize the full rights of every person, born and preborn. However, until this opportunity is presented, this law means that every baby in Louisiana will be safe from the grasp of the abortionists.

Unapologetically pro-life legislator and sponsor of the bill, Rep. John LaBruzzo said, “Every year, more and more abortions take place, and every year we pass legislation to deal with the issue. We’ve been going at it piecemeal—trying to get two yards at a time—but we haven’t gotten one first down. This bill shoots for the end zone.”

Attorney and pro-life speaker, Rebecca Kiessling, was invited to represent Personhood USA and share her story at the hearing. Adopted as an infant, Rebecca learned at age 18 that her conception was the result of rape and that she was nearly aborted.

Testifying on behalf of the legislation, Rebecca explained, “This bill follows the directives within Roe v. Wade. If you wish to afford unborn children their due process and equal protection rights, then you need to recognize them as persons in the full legal sense. This is hitting the issue where it counts. The Court made it clear that personhood is where it counts.”

Watch Rebecca, Rep. LaBruzzo, and many of the wonderful pro-life advocates’ testimonies by clicking here:

http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/WM/2011/May_2011/0524_11_HW.asx

The Human Life Protection Act now heads to the full House. Floor debate is scheduled for this Monday, June 6th.

Prayers for Mississippi

Please also continue to keep the people of Mississippi at the forefront of your hearts and minds. We ask for your prayers in the effort to amend the state constitution to protect every child by love and by law.

The Mississippi Personhood Amendment is the standard—defining the term “person” as used in the Mississippi Bill of Rights to “include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.” The new law will not only save our youngest brothers and sisters from the abortionists and close down the last remaining abortion mill in Mississippi, but it also ensures legal protections from all chemical abortifactient drugs, human cloning and deadly medical research.

The measure is currently on the ballot for November of this year. We are just five short months from ending abortion in the state, once and for all!

However, your prayers are still needed because our enemies are on the move—attempting to block the measure from reaching the ballot. That’s right, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood have, once again, teamed up to sue us and stop a vote by the people to recognize the rights of every human being.

So far, we’ve won every round of the court battle. Last year, Judge Malcolm Harrison ruled that the “plaintiffs carry a heavy burden in attempting to restrict the citizenry’s right to amend the Constitution. Initiative Measure No. 26 has received more than the required amount of signatures to be placed on the ballot and the Constitution recognizes the right of citizens to amend their Constitution.” This is a huge victory for the babies and the people! However, the pro-abortion groups have vowed to appeal.

The Alabama Senate Bill, SB301, passed the Senate 23-7. Last minute changes to the bill changed it from a personhood bill, which would have banned all abortions, to a ban of all surgical abortions and many chemical abortions. If the bill passes the House, it will be the first time in state history that all surgical abortions will be outlawed since Roe v. Wade.

The original text, introduced by Senator Phil Williams, read : “The term ‘persons’ as used in the Code of Alabama 1975, shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization or the functional equivalent thereof.”

The amended text now reads “The term ‘persons’ as used in the Code of Alabama 1975, shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization and implantation into the womb.” SB301 is now scheduled to be heard Thursday, June 9th.

Stand with us as we declare before the whole world that every person is uniquely created in God’s image and deserving of the full protection of the law!

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

-Keith Ashley, Personhood USA Communications

Personhood Mississippi has received endorsements from leading Democratic legislators including Speaker Billy McCoy. The Democratic endorsements are further evidence that the effort to pass Amendment 26 is not a partisan, politically motivated effort, but rather a growing movement with broad based support to protect unborn children and their mothers.

House Speaker McCoy (D-Rienzi), in noting that he has always been pro-life, gave a written statement that included a strong affirmation of the goals of Personhood Mississippi to “amend the Constitution to provide a definition of the term ‘person’.” Speaker McCoy continued, “That term is defined to include every human being from the moment of fertilization. This definition corresponds to my personal pro-life beliefs.”

Also giving life affirming endorsements of Amendment 26 were Senators Nickey Browning (D-Pontotoc) who said he had “always been pro-life” and Eric Powell’s (D-Corinth) statement of “I’m with you.”

Senator Powell also stated that he believed the amendment would pass overwhelmingly.

Amendment 26 Sponsor and Personhood Mississippi Founder Les Riley of Hickory Flat expressed gratitude for the bi-partisan support: “This is not about Democrats, Republicans, or independents. Ours is a grassroots, volunteer-led non-partisan organization of around one thousand churches and thousands volunteers from across the state. These supporters share the common goal of stopping abortion; protecting women and children; reestablishing the rule of law and equal rights; and challenging unjust court rulings.”

SO MUCH has been going on for Amendment 62 this week!

Check out this week in Personhood News at www.personhoodusa.com/news, be encouraged, and take some friends with you to vote "YES" on Amendment 62 November 2nd! At the bottom of this message, find an easy way for your kids to be involved in helping to pass Amendment 62!

Abortionist Richard Grossman from Durango falsely claimed that Amendment 62 would be applied to a woman's ovaries - scare tactics at their worst. We responded, along with LifeGuard in Durango, and shortly after Planned Parenthood canceled Grossman's public speech against Amendment 62!

We released the Planned Parenthood group "Advocates for Choice" debate against Amendment 62, in which the Planned Parenthood group claimed that science wasn't important and a baby's heart doesn't start beating until 24 weeks.

Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor Michael Moriarty of "Law & Order" (circa 1990's) fame wrote an article called: America's Last Chance: Amendment 62, in which he stated "On election day, Tea Party Coloradans, be sure to vote yes for Amendment 62!", linking to our video!

Our "Prolife Tea Party" Video Continued to Make National News - including Glenn Beck and Breitbart.com .

The Planned Parenthood/ACLU evil alliance was dealt a major blow in Mississippi when their motion against the 2011 Personhood Mississippi Amendment was DENIED. Victory! We'll have the chance to protect every innocent person in Mississippi in 2011!

Fox News National listed us a measure that could "Upend (the) Status Quo". When the status quo is killing children, we are thrilled to upend it!

The Culture and Media Institute and American Life League came to our defense against the pro-abortion propaganda machine.

Pam Tebow, mother of Heisman Trophy winner and Denver Bronco Tim Tebow, endorsed Amendment 62.

PLUS, we released the list of leaders that say to vote YES on Amendment 62: Southern Baptist Convention, American Family Association, Joe Scheidler, Morton Blackwell, David Bereit, Focus on the Family, Human Life International, Rebecca Kiessling, Lila Rose, Summit Ministries, Alveda King, and many more!

Don't forget - Amendment 62 is the ONLY pro-life issue on the ballot anywhere in the U.S. Let's send a strong message to the nation - we will not tolerate child killing any longer! Make a commitment to encourage your friends and family to vote YES on Amendment 62!

One easy way to help pass Amendment 62 THIS WEEKEND is to minister on Halloween. Our good friends at LifeGuard had a great idea for October 31st. If you hand out candy, or attend a church Fall celebration this weekend, you might consider putting a label or taping a piece of paper on each piece of candy you hand out that says "Protect Children - vote YES on 62!" If your church supports Amendment 62 and is hosting a Fall Celebration, you can put a message on every piece of candy they distribute!  Most parents go through the candy at the end of the night, and that message might make a difference!

Remember that your vote counts, and we can't win without it! Tell your Colorado friends and family to join you in voting YES!

For Immediate Release
Contact: Les Riley, Personhood Mississippi – (662) 760-8695
            
 
 
Liberty Counsel Files Response to ACLU Lawsuit Against
 Personhood Mississippi Ballot Initiative
 
August 12 (Jackson) – Liberty Counsel will file a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood in Hinds County, Mississippi Circuit Court today on behalf of Les Riley and Personhood Mississippi to prevent the voices of over 130,000 Mississippi voters from being silenced.
Last month, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed suit against Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann asking the court to stop Secretary Hosemann from doing his duty under law and delivering the Mississippi Personhood Amendment (Initiative Measure 26) to the legislature to be placed on the ballot next year. Last year over 1000 grassroots volunteers helped collect and certify the signatures of over 130,000 voters across Mississippi to put the measure on the ballot in 2011. Initiative 26 would legally define the unborn child as a “person” in state law, ensuring equal rights to all people including the unborn, and setting up a possible challenge to Roe v. Wade.
 
The suit claims that Initiative 26 is unconstitutional because it violates the prohibition against using the initiative and referendum process for “the proposal, modification or repeal of any portion of” the bill of rights. Initiative 26 does not propose any new right, nor does it modify or repeal any portion of the Mississippi Bill of Rights.
When asked about the Liberty Counsel filing on their behalf, Les Riley of Personhood Mississippi stated, “The misnamed ACLU has been dishonestly perverting the Constitution and using court decisions for decades to support the denial of rights to unborn people. We want to stop them from denying the rights of Mississippians to participate in the process, vote, and ensure equal rights to all. I do not know whether Planned Parenthood is concerned that the passage of the Personhood Amendment will interrupt their systematic genocidal program against minorities or it is worried about the impact it will have on their profitable abortion-releated services revenue stream that is part of their billion-dollar annual budget. But it is obvious they understand that if the citizens of Mississippi vote then the days of killing unborn children and harming women under color of law may be coming to an end.”
 
Steve Crampton, a Tupelo attorney with Liberty Counsel commented : “We do not
believe there is any merit to this lawsuit, and are eager for an opportunity to rebut the baseless charges of the ACLU. Perhaps more telling than the substance of the lawsuit is the fact that several New York lawyers for both ACLU and Planned Parenthood Federation of America signed the complaint seeking to deny Mississippians the fundamental right to vote on a proposed amendment to our State Constitution.”
 
Pastor Joseph Parker of Tupelo commented, “Planned Parenthood has killed more African-Americans in a 7 day period than the Ku Klux Klan killed and/or lynched in the last 150 years. They are no friend of the Black community and never have been. This lawsuit is not surprising; this is very much in line with who they are and what they are all about.” Parker has served in the African Methodist Episcopal Church for most of the last 34 years in Mississippi and Tennessee. He and his wife Birdie are part the growing tide of pro-life minority Christian leaders; they have been involved in standing for life and against abortion for the past 15 years.
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