Hundreds of Minnesotans gathered to rally for life and meet with their elected legislators to discuss pro-life issues last week during an event called United for Life.
“We’re gathering united for life with pro-life allies from across the state to make clear that a large majority of Minnesotans do not agree with the extreme abortion regime that we’ve seen at this Capitol — life is a human right and we’re here to ask legislators to protect it!” Renee Carlson, general counsel for True North Legal and the event’s emcee, said in a statement.
United for Life says its goal is to “care for women, children, and families by inspiring legislators to fight for the fundamental rights of all human beings, from conception to natural death.”
The annual event is a partnership between many large pro-life organizations in the state, including Minnesota Catholic Conference, Minnesota Family Council, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Pro-Life Action Ministries, and the University of St. Thomas Pro-life Center.
“This is an unprecedented effort — Minnesota’s largest pro-life advocacy organizations and hundreds of Minnesotans are coming together to show that, despite the current legislative climate, our voice will not be silenced. We are coming to the Capitol to speak for the unborn who have no voice, and for the mothers and families who are impacted by abortion,” Maggee Hangge, a public policy associate at the Minnesota Catholic Conference, said in a press release ahead of the event.
Those in attendance lobbied legislators on several bills, asking them to oppose HF91/SF70, which would remove many of Minnesota’s regulations on abortion, including protections for infants who survive abortions.
They also asked legislators to support funding for pregnancy resource centers and sales tax relief on baby items.
One speaker at the rally shared her pro-life story. Kabhou Genrick explained that when she was pregnant at 17 years old, her family said her baby had no chance at a normal life and encouraged her to get an abortion.
Genrick explained that because of her decision to choose life for her baby, she was kicked out of her parents’ home. “Babies are not the problem,” she said at Tuesday’s event. The real issue, she said, is a lack of care for the welfare of pregnant women and mothers.
“If babies are not the problem, then killing them is not the solution,” she said. “My baby didn’t ruin my life, she made it better.”
The Democratic-controlled Minnesota Legislature passed a bill in January that grants Minnesotans a “fundamental right” to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. But Democrats are struggling to get swing-district legislators to support the remaining pieces of legislation included in their abortion agenda.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
