SLOBODIAN: Trump stands with the unborn and those who protect them

Pro-life and pro-family advocates celebrated President Donald Trump’s inauguration January 20. They hoped the days of being ruthlessly targeted and imprisoned by former president Joe Biden’s ‘justice’ department were over.That same day, pro-abortion supporters mourned the death of “beloved” life-long militant Cecile Richard, 67, former head of Planned Parenthood (2006-2018.) To the end, she championed the cause that has claimed between 63 to 66 million babies since the Supreme Court 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalized abortion.Richard succumbed to an aggressive brain cancer hours before Trump was sworn in.By Thursday, grieving of the pro-abortion crowd morphed into indignant rage.And joy swept through the pro-life movement when Trump pardoned 23 pro-lifers who were handed harsh sentences for the ‘crimes’ of illegally blocking or merely praying and singing hymns in front of reproductive health clinics. What they’re called sounds innocent enough. But these are the places where babies are ripped from the womb limb by limb, their skulls crushed.The procedure is a woman’s right, after all.Trump said it was “ridiculous” that some of the protesters were still in prison.“Twenty-three people were prosecuted. They should not have been prosecuted,” said Trump while signing the pardons.“Many of them are elderly people … This is a great honour to sign this. They’ll be very happy.”Later he told the media that the imprisoned would “be out very shortly” and that “it was disgraceful what happened.”Among the pardoned was 89-year-old Eva Edl who had faced 11 years in prison for participating in a sit-in at a clinic in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee in March 2021 where protesters sang hymns and prayed.Edl, a Yugoslavian concentration camp survivor, said she was prepared to die in an American prison for her beliefs. She held up a Bible at her sentencing hearing last September when she was given three years probation.The pardoned were charged for violating the contested Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act brought in under former president Bill Clinton’s administration.They participated in the Tennessee protest, an August 2020 blockade of an abortion clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and an October 2020 demonstration at a Washington clinic when they linked themselves with chains to block the entrance.Franciscan friar Christopher Moscinski received six months for padlocking the gated entrance to a Hempstead, New York clinic then laying across the entrance.Lauren Handy, 30, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. And John Hinshaw, 69, who was sentenced to a year and nine months. Tennessee mother Bevelyn Beatty Williams was sentenced to 41 months.The Thomas More Society, a national non-profit that defends pro-life, pro-family and pro-freedom causes through advocacy and the courts, celebrated the news.“Today is a new day for the pardoned pro-life advocates who have suffered raids, federal prosecutions, and severe punishment for peacefully and courageously witnessing for life,” said society vice-president Peter Breen in a statement.The pardons were issued the day before tens of thousands participated in Friday’s 52nd annual March for Life demonstration in Washington, D.C.“Never again will religious persecution be allowed to happen in America,” said Trump in a video message.“In my second term, we will again stand proudly for families and for life.”He said a reformed justice department would investigate “radical left attacks” on churches and crisis pregnancy centres.“Our country faces the return of the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes,” said Vice-President JD Vance, who attended the March.“No longer will the federal government direct FBI raids on the homes of people like Mark Houck and other Catholic and Christian activists who are fighting for the unborn every single day,” said Vance.“We will protect the historic gains we have made and stop the radical Democrat push for a federal right to unlimited abortion on demand.”“We failed a generation, not only by permitting a culture of abortion on demand but also by neglecting to help young parents achieve the ingredients they need to lead a happy and meaningful life.”“A culture of radical individualism took root, one where the responsibilities and joys of family life were seen as obstacles to overcome, not as personal fulfillment or personal blessings.”Trump signed other executive orders, including recognizing only two sexes — male and female.He issued an executive order on the Hyde Amendment that doesn’t allow federal dollars to fund abortions.And he endorsed the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, forcing health care professionals to tend to children born alive during an attempted abortion with the “same degree of professional skill, care and diligence” as provided during normal childbirth.Imagine, having to decree that.Radical abortion zealots in Canada, which has one of the world’s most lax abortion laws, don’t have to worry about such restrictions.No leader of any political party has the courage or conviction to fight 35 years of unrestricted abortion where babies are born alive in botched procedures.Whether they support abortion, or are afraid to speak out for fear of losing votes, abortion bubble zone laws prevail.People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier comes closest to defending the unborn.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is an abortion and euthanasia (through MAiD — medical assistance in dying) advocate.Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, who seems destined to serve as the next prime minister, firmly said there will be no changes to abortion in Canada.So, federally funded so-called “anti-hate” groups can rail against pro-life Christian groups, particularly men.Pro-life advocates will continue to be targeted and denied a voice.Just like the estimated 100,000 babies aborted in Canada every year.Trump exceeded pro-life, pro-family expectations. Americans, the majority anyway, got what they voted for.So do we. But pro-life Canadians really don’t have a good choice.

SLOBODIAN: Trump stands with the unborn and those who protect them

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