Statement from Amy Gehrke, Executive Director, on January 22, 2021:
Today we sadly commemorate the 48th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in America.
This year, for many, hope has turned to sadness. It’s easy to see why.
During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised abortion advocates he would roll back commonsense protections for women and babies. He has declared he will:
- Rescind the Mexico City Policy, which prohibited foreign organizations from receiving family planning funding if they performed abortions, made referrals to abortion providers, or provided patients with information on abortion;
- Restore funding to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, through Title X;
- Reinstate the contraceptive coverage mandate in the Affordable Care Act, meaning that any employer with a religious or moral objection to birth control (including those which act as abortifacients) must provide contraceptive coverage;
- Work to repeal the Hyde Amendment which, for decades, saved an estimated 60,000 lives a year by prohibiting federal programs from paying for abortions except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother’s life was in danger.
No wonder Planned Parenthood poured $45 million into Biden’s campaign. His sweeping actions will mean billions in increased revenue for the abortion giant and many more babies killed.
Here in Illinois, there are pro-abortion supermajorities in both the State Senate and House as well as abortion radical, J. B. Pritzker, in the governor’s mansion. They are all determined to make Illinois the abortion mecca of the Midwest.
Things may look bleak, but now is NOT the time to stand down or feel defeated.
When I left Wisconsin to join Illinois Right to Life, many of my friends, family, and colleagues questioned my decision. I had no doubts. Why? Because I firmly believe that with great challenges come great opportunities.
Illinois Right to Life is working towards the day when our state respects and loves life once again. We are in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan to take back our state from abortion radicals and restore protection to the unborn and other vulnerable members of our society. How? Through education, advocacy, direct aid to women, as well as advanced technology.
YOU are the single-most important part of our plans to take back Illinois for life.
While I’ve only been here for six weeks, the most encouraging thing I’ve seen is the dedication of Illinois’s pro-life advocates like you. The fight to bring respect for life back to Illinois will be long and difficult but, by standing together, we will restore protection to the most vulnerable in our state.
Today, I am urging you to stand with Illinois Right to Life as we take back Illinois!
What can you do to stand for life today?
- Visit IllinoisRightToLife.org and sign up to receive our e-mails. This is the most cost-effective way we can reach you with breaking news, action alerts, news of upcoming events, and more. We will NEVER sell or share your e-mail!
- Register as a volunteer here. There will be several opportunities for us to work together in the coming months.
- DONATE! Everything we do at Illinois Right to Life is dependent on your generosity.
Now is not the time to despair. The pro-life movement is one of love, joy, and, most of all, hope. That will not change no matter who is in office.
Across Illinois, there are unknown numbers of women facing crisis pregnancies who are uncertain of what to do next. Their babies’ lives hang in the balance. There are individuals living with disabilities or suffering from terminal illnesses. There are those who are advanced in age, unsure of whether or not their lives have value.
They are all depending on us.
Together we are stronger. Together we can and we will win back Illinois for Life. Please stand with us today!
