Louisiana Continues to Lead the Way for Life

Photo source: March for Life

On the 46th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion, Attorney General Jeff Landry announced Tuesday that a new law would go into effect next week that could further limit access to pregnancy termination procedures in Louisiana.

Starting Monday, Jan. 28, physicians who perform abortions must have permission to use nearby hospitals, called “admitting privileges,” Landry said in a news release. That’s barring any appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a decision last week by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court Appeals.

Read more: Law that will soon close more Louisiana abortion clinics goes into effect next week

Pro-Life Law in Louisiana Wins Another Court Battle

Admitting Privileges Law Could Be Enforced by End of Month

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry praised a federal court for their decision late last week to reject yet another court hearing on Act 620. General Landry’s Office has been defending the bipartisan law which requires abortion providers in Louisiana be able to admit patients at nearby hospitals in the event of complications.

“I applaud the Fifth Circuit’s decision to reject the abortion providers’ latest legal challenge to Louisiana’s pro-life and pro-woman admitting privileges law,” said General Landry. “Act 620 is common-sense measure that ensures women will receive proper care if they have complications.”

Read more: ​Pro-Life Law in Louisiana Wins Another Court Battle​

Louisiana Represented at Annual March for Life in DC

On January 18th, the nation, once again, came together for the annual March for Life. This event has been taking place every year for over 40 years and is a reminder of the barbaric practice of killing the unborn and an overturn of Roe v. Wade. Louisiana was represented in this event, with several pastors, including Gene Mills of the Lousiana Family Forum. 

Democrat Katrina Jackson, from the Pelican State, also addressed the crowd at the rally. Jackson has unequivocally been a stalwart for life in Louisiana.  

All of Louisiana’s Republican congressional delegation have stood firm in the support of life.  

Per Louisiana Family Forum, several pro life events will be taking place throughout the state. The dates and locations are below:

• Jan. 22, 2019: Southwest, Lake Charles
• Jan. 26, 2019: South, Baton Rouge
• Jan. 26, 2019: Northwest, Shreveport-Bossier
• Jan. 27, 2019: Northeast, West Monroe-Monroe
• Feb. 2, 2019: Cenla, Pineville-Alexandria

More information on Louisiana Right to Life can be found here.  

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) Defends Pro-Life Provision Removed by HR 21

Photo source: Wikipedia

Rep. Mike Johnson offered his thoughts on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, that would strip out pro-life protections. 

HIGGINS: 100% Pro-Life

In a recent email to supporters and constituents, Congressman Clay Higgins highlights the 100% voting record he has in Congress concerning the Right to Life:

As children of God, we are called to protect the most innocent, the unborn. Over the last 22 months, my office has supported and fought for pro-life legislation that includes:

• H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

• H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

• H.R. 490, the Heartbeat Protection Act

• H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

     No American should ever worry that their tax dollars are being used to fund organizations that perform abortions, which is why I have also supported every effort to defund Planned Parenthood and advance pro-life protections. I will continue to support legislative efforts like this in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Louisiana Right to Life: Pro-Life Leaders Celebrate Rulingon Admitting Privileges Law

For Immediate Release

Sept. 26, 2018
Contact: Benjamin Clapper

504-228-4273

bclapper@prolifelouisiana.org

Today, a federal appeals court panel ruled that a 2014 Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital passes constitutional muster.
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals three-judge panel recognized a similar law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016, but by a 2-1 decision they said the Louisiana Unsafe Abortion Protection Act (Act 620) does not impose the same "substantial burden" on women as the Texas law.
Judges Smith and Clement analyzed the law's impact on Louisiana, separating it from the Texas-based facts presented in the Supreme Court's 2016 Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt decision.

The ruling reverses the 2017 ruling of federal district court Judge John deGravelles, who blocked the law.

"Louisiana Right to Life celebrates today’s 5th Circuit decision upholding Louisiana’s Unsafe Abortion Protection Act as a victory for women’s health and safety," said Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life. "Ever since we began working with State Rep. Katrina Jackson (D-Monroe) to introduce HB 388 in 2014, the goal of requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals was always about protecting women by ensuring the continuity of care in cases of emergency. Our law should never create special loopholes so that abortion facilities can operate in a sub-standard manner. These facilities and their physicians should be held to the same standard as all outpatient surgical facilities.

"Louisiana Right to Life commends Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill for their persistent leadership in defending Louisiana's bipartisan 2014 law, especially in the face of other states choosing to dismiss their defense of similar admitting privileges laws."
Dorinda Bordlee, Senior Counsel of Bioethics Defense Fund, added, "In light of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that unjustly struck down a similar Texas admitting privileges law, today’s 5th Circuit ruling is a huge win. The abortion industry has failed in its attempt to use the federal courts to undermine customary health standards for women who are physically injured by the known medical risks of abortion, such as uterine puncture or cervical tearing. This pro-woman, pro-life legislation recognizes the reality that abortion endangers the lives of both women and children."

Louisiana Family Forum: Landry Leads on Life and Design!

Photo source: LifeNews

Led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, Attorneys General in 17 states defended an Indiana law Thursday thatrequires abortion facilities to offer women the chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn baby prior to their abortion.

The state leaders submitted their brief this week to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Huntingdon News reports. Planned Parenthood challenged the law in 2016, and a 7th-Circuit panel sided with the abortion chain in July.

Additionally, Landry has joined 15 other Republican attorneys general and governors asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject workplace protections that would prevent transgender people from being fired for their gender identity.

Landry signed onto a legal brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that determined a Michigan woman was unlawfully fired from the funeral home where she worked for being transgender. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on sex protected her and that her employer's religious beliefs cannot be used to justify her firing.

Read more: 17 States Defend Laws Allowing Women to See Ultrasound of Baby Before Abortion

Pro-Life Day at the Capitol

The following information was provided by Louisiana Right to Life:

Photo source: Louisiana Right to Life

Join us April 4 for Pro-Life Day at the Capitol. There will be pro-life agency booths in the Capitol Rotunda and pro-life testimony in committee, and it’s a great time for you to interact with your legislators from home.

Testimony on the Adoption Option Act, authored by Rep. Rick Edmonds and sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life, is scheduled for the Health and Welfare Committee, which begins at 9 a.m.  in Committee Room 5. David Scotton, the subject of the adoption documentary I Lived on Parker Avenue, and others will be testifying. The committee room will fill up, so it is recommended you arrive early to get a seat.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the pro-life leadership will be recognized on the floors of both the House and Senate, and a special “Pro-Life Birthday Cake” will be served in the Rotunda.

Also in the afternoon (time TBA), Attorney General Jeff Landry will meet with pro-lifers and join in for a photo on the steps of the Capitol.

Higgins Signs Letter of Support for the Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644)

Photo source: Catholic League

Congressman Clay Higgins - LA 03, has signed off on a letter of support for the Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644), which would allow unwilling medical professionals to not participate in abortions and forcing them to choose between violating their consciences or being driven from the healing professions. 

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Louisiana Right to Life Marches - 2017

From the Louisiana Right to Life:

LOUISIANA LIFE MARCHES 2017

Come March With Us to 'Protect Them Both'!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

  Saturday, Jan. 21|  10 AM - Noon 

Louisiana Life March SOUTH in Baton Rouge 

Saturday, Jan. 28|  10 AM - Noon
Louisiana Life March NORTH in Shreveport/Bossier 

Saturday, Feb. 4|  10 AM - Noon  

Louisiana Life March CENTRAL in Pineville/Alexandria

Please mark your calendars and save these dates for the three 2017 Louisiana Life March events, marking the 44th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in our country. Louisiana Life Marches are held yearly to unite the pro-life people of Louisiana, across all denominational lines, to take a stand for life in our state and mobilize them with resources to go make a difference in their communities. 

Want more information on the Life March in your area? You can download the flyers below or visit www.LALifeMarch.com.

 SOUTH FLYER
DOWNLOAD 

NORTH FLYER
DOWNLOAD 

CENTRAL FLYER
DOWNLOAD 

Want to help us get the word out about the 2017 Louisiana Life March nearest you? You can order postcards or flyers to hand out to your family and friends, church congregations, and other organizations to which you are affiliated, and posters to hang around your communities, all at no cost to you! Just email sandy@prolifelouisiana.org or call 866.463.5433 to order your supplies, while they last.

 CLICK TO ORDER 

 
Want to avoid standing in line at the Life March to get your 2017 Life March T-shirt? Want to buy it ahead of time so you can wear it to the march? Click on the link to the left to order the 2017 LLM themed "Protect Them Both" T-shirt. Sizes from youth large to adult XXL are available. T-shirts are $10 each.

Please share this with your family and friends! 

We hope to see you at the 2017 Louisiana Life March nearest you! 

 Louisiana Right to Life

ProLifeLouisiana.org    1.866.463.5433    @LARightToLife

A Louisiana Pro-Life Champion Passes Away

Per the Louisiana Family Forum, Dr. Al Krotoski, MD, a champion for the unborn in the State of Louisiana, passed away on Jan. 1.  The piece from LFF is below as well as the obituary for Dr. Krotoski.

R.I.P. – Dr. Al Krotoski

Photo source: The Advocate

LFF Commentary
January 2016

"Today LFF's prayers and thoughts are with the family of Dr. Al Krotoski, a pro-life giant, who forever changed the life landscape in the Louisiana Legislature, nationally and internationally," Gene Mills, President of Louisiana Family Forum said.

Wojciech “Al" Antoni Krotoski, M.D., Ph.D, M.P.H., pro-life leader, Nobel nominee, faithful husband and beloved father, went to his eternal reward on January 1, 2016. Dr. Krotoski was devoted to Hippocratic respect-for-life activities, including being a leader of statewide professional and local pro-life organizations. He was also the co-founder of The Hippocratic Resource.

In 2008, New Orleans Right to Life honored Dr. Krotoski with their Proudly Pro-Life Award given for his lifetime of pro-life work. Especially memorable about Dr. Al is that he continually reminded us that words have meaning. He refused to refer to the practice of abortion with sanitized words. He consistently referred to “abortion clinics” as “abortion facilities” emphasizing the truth that “clinics" are life affirming and life saving whereas “abortion facilities” are not.

Dr. Krotoski frequently testified on behalf of life at the Louisiana legislature. In his committee testimonies, he often provided in-depth scientific information which was invaluable in presenting a pro-life perspective on a variety of bills dealing with life from conception until natural death.

Al Krotoski will be remembered and honored as a voice “for an ever-greater respect for all human life, from fertilization until natural death.”

Please click here for more information on the funeral arrangements for Dr. "Al" Krotoski.

Win Against Planned Parenthood Yesterday in the US Senate

Photo source: Wikipedia

The Planned Parenthood provision to strip taxpayer funding from the House budget reconciliation bill survived hostile amendments yesterday to refund. Louisiana Family Forum sent an appeal to the U.S. House and Senate regarding this issue.

Louisiana Senators David Vitter and Bill Cassidy both voted to defund Planned Parenthood.

Per LFF, the following was achieved with this victory yesterday:

"It not only defunds Planned Parenthood, but it redirects that Federal money to women's health care organizations that provide far greater health benefits to women than Planned Parenthood ever provided, not just because they do not provide abortion, but rather because they offer far more services than Planned Parenthood does, and are more readily available then Planned Parenthood is."

We can only hope this is a sign of more good things to come in the pro-life movement.  Planned Parenthood's vision of the slaughter and sale of body parts is the exact reason why the taxpayers should not be funding this organization and why those resources should be focused elsewhere for women's health.

Several Members of House of Representatives Sign Letter Calling for Congressional Investigation into Planned Parenthood

Photo source: www.thefederalistpapers.org

Several members of the House of Representatives have signed a letter calling for a congressional investigation into abortion provider Planned Parenthood’s practices, specifically in the area of fetal tissue trafficking.

Last week, a shocking video surfaced of a Planned Parenthood official discussing harvesting organs and tissue from aborted fetuses.