Abortion is a Abortion is a Woman’s Right!Woman’s Right!But where do we But where do we

stand today?stand today?

Barbara Shank and Milton SaierBarbara Shank and Milton Saier

The #1 environmental problem facing The #1 environmental problem facing us is human overpopulation. us is human overpopulation.

We are not living sustainably.We are not living sustainably.

In order to allow continuance of human In order to allow continuance of human civilization, we must decrease our numbers.civilization, we must decrease our numbers.

This must be accomplished humanely.This must be accomplished humanely.

The best solution is prevention of The best solution is prevention of unplanned/unwanted births.unplanned/unwanted births.

When it comes to abortion, there When it comes to abortion, there are are three importantthree important moral question: moral question:

1, What will most effectively alleviate 1, What will most effectively alleviate human suffering and preserve essential human suffering and preserve essential resources on our planet?resources on our planet?

2, Will women ever be fully emancipated 2, Will women ever be fully emancipated human beings in control of their lives and human beings in control of their lives and reproduction?reproduction?

3, Will they always be forced to submit to 3, Will they always be forced to submit to patriarchal male authority and breed patriarchal male authority and breed against their wills?against their wills?

LETLET’’S LOOK AT S LOOK AT THE BIOLOGYTHE BIOLOGY

An embryo is not even a fetus!An embryo is not even a fetus!

First Week – blastocyst implants about day 7.

Embryonic developmentEmbryonic development

5 weeks 7 weeks

61% of abortions occur before 9 weeks.

Fetal developmentFetal development

12 week10 week

89% 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 only the It is a clump of cells with only the potentialpotential to to become a human being. It is not a separate become a human being. It is not a separate life from the life of the woman in whose life from the life of the woman in whose uterus it resides.uterus it resides.

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

And this is true until it is born (“breaths its first And this is true until it is born (“breaths its first breath”) to become a baby. It is no more an breath”) to become a baby. It is no more an independent human being than any other independent human being than any other organ or part of a womanorgan or part of a woman’’s body.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

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 it.carrying it.

The changes that are taking place only occur 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 abortion providers.87% of all U.S. counties do not have abortion providers.

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

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

diminished since 1980.diminished since 1980.

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 : Mississippi has one abortion clinic in Jackson, Mississippi. A state law (1992) in Jackson, Mississippi. A state law (1992)

requires a woman to receive in person requires a woman to receive in person information about the fetus and information about the fetus and ““alternativesalternatives”” 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

““THE PILLTHE PILL”” first became first became available in 1960available in 1960

Roe vs Wade passed in Roe vs Wade passed in 19731973

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

Reproductive Reproductive FreedomFreedom

Reproductive freedom Reproductive freedom for women came in for women came in response to the response to the movements of the movements of the 6060’’s. s.

It is long past due that It is long past due that rational women, not rational women, not

swayed by mythology and swayed by mythology and mysticism, re-seize the mysticism, re-seize the

moral high ground and the moral high ground and the initiative on this issue.initiative on this issue.

What is the so-called moral high What is the so-called moral high ground of the anti-abortionists?ground 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: Mission Statement: ““A.L.L. denies 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 the topic of abortion will fact, anyone who debates 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.””

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

Advocates the murder Advocates the murder of abortion providers.of abortion providers.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.Murder is justified in Murder is justified in the name of God.the name of God.Is this what it is to be Is this what it is to be Christian?Christian?

Dr. David Dr. David GunnGunn

shot in front shot in front ofof

abortion abortion clinicclinic

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 HeroAmerican Hero””

Saved Saved ““innocent innocent

babies from being babies from being

murdered by murdered by

babykilling babykilling

abortionistabortionist””

John Salvi IIIJohn Salvi III

December 30, 1994December 30, 1994

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

Murdering Shannon Murdering Shannon Lowney and Lee Ann Lowney and Lee Ann Nichols.Nichols.

Killed Killed

Robert Sanderson Robert Sanderson

and injuredand injured

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 Slepian

Was shot in his Was shot in his

home in New York.home in New York.

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

A thousand people attended Dr. A thousand people attended Dr. TillerTiller’’s funerals funeral

Legislation making a fetus, Legislation making a fetus, an embryo, and even a fertilized egg an embryo, and even a fertilized egg

a person.a person.

Fetal Fetal homocide homocide laws – laws –

34 states34 states

Supreme Court AppointmentsSupreme Court Appointments

Roberts' confirmation as chief justice 2005.

Samuel Alito was Samuel Alito was confirmed to the confirmed to the Supreme Court, 2006. Supreme Court, 2006. Both are Both are Opposed Opposed to Roe vs Wade.to Roe vs Wade.

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

Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004

“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 Children1-30-02 – State Children’’s Health s Health

Insurance Program – SCHIPInsurance Program – SCHIP

States can classify a fertilized egg as an States can classify a fertilized egg as an ““unborn childunborn child”” eligible for coverage 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 program.the program.

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

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

Wrongful deathWrongful death

Illinois Judge Rules That a Couple Can Illinois Judge Rules That a Couple Can File Wrongful Death Suit Over an File Wrongful Death Suit Over an 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, South Dakota, Arkansas, Mississippi and elsewhere Mississippi and elsewhere that legally allow pharmacists that legally allow pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions.prescriptions.

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

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 himself from those ““who suggest that who suggest that this (abortion) is simply an issue this (abortion) is simply an issue about womenabout women’’s freedom and that s freedom and that therethere’’s no other considerationss 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 groundCommon ground’’ can only exist if can only exist if one side capitulates to the other.one side capitulates to the other.

The Pro-Choice MovementThe Pro-Choice Movement

Did not stand with the abortion providers.Did not stand with the abortion providers.

The Feminist Majority did not attend Dr. TillerThe Feminist Majority did not attend Dr. Tiller’’s s funeral.funeral.

S. Dakota ban – they didnS. Dakota ban – they didn’’t condemn it, but said it 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.

Planned Parenthood, and the Feminine Majority Planned Parenthood, and the Feminine Majority cancelled a cancelled a ““Day of ActionDay of Action””..

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

Recent Gallop poll indicated 51% in US identify as Recent Gallop poll indicated 51% in US identify as ““pro-life vs 42% as pro-choice, an attitude pro-life vs 42% as pro-choice, an attitude resulting from lies and propaganda by right wing resulting from lies and propaganda by right wing extremists.extremists.

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

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

‘‘movementmovement’’ has remained has remained largely passive and largely passive and

straitjacketed in the Democratic straitjacketed in the Democratic PartyParty’’s dynamic of capitulation.s dynamic of capitulation.””

Barbara ShankBarbara Shank

What What ‘‘common groundcommon ground’’ can can there be with a movement there be with a movement whose aim is to enslave whose aim is to enslave women to reproduction and women to reproduction and force them to bear children force them to bear children against their wills?against their wills?

The morality we need:The 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 are not simply incubators!are not simply incubators!

It is time for women who have had It is time for women who have had abortions to speak out defiantly – abortions to speak out defiantly –

to lift the shame and to lift the shame and to challenge the stigma.to 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 on Abortion must be available on demand and without apology. demand and without apology. Women are human beings Women are human beings capable of participating fully capable of participating fully and equally in every sphere of and equally in every sphere of society. society.

This can not be said of a This can not be said of a fertilized egg, an embyo or a fertilized egg, an embyo or a fetus!fetus!

““Changing all this, and Changing all this, and fully liberating women as fully liberating women as

part of emancipating part of emancipating humanity as a whole, humanity as a whole, will ultimately require a will ultimately require a major social revolution.major social revolution.””

Barbara ShankBarbara Shank