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U.S. Pro-life Groups Demand Immediate Enforcement of Partial Birth Abortion Ban

By Peter J. Smith

ENGELWOOD, New Jersey, April 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-life organizations enthused by Wednesday’s US Supreme Court decision, are calling for immediate enforcement of the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion ban by the US Justice Department.

In New Jersey, a number of pro-life organizations, including New Jersey Right to Life, the Legal Center for Defense of Life, and Crossing Over Ministry, held a press conference Thursday outside Metropolitan Medical Associates, an abortion provider, demanding enforcement of the upheld abortion law.

"The practical consequences of today's decision take place right here in Englewood," said Richard Collier, president of the Morristown-based Legal Center for the Defense of Life. "This is the place that does 1,500 partial-birth abortions a year. We're here to call on U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to enforce the statute against Metropolitan if it continues to do partial-birth abortions."

"Clearly, this decision paves the way for the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade,” stated Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition. “Our hope is that the Department of Justice will move aggressively to ensure the bipartisan banning of this barbaric procedure is immediately enforced.”

The Liberty Counsel, a pro-life and religious freedom defense organization, said the Gonzales v. Carhart decision gives “a shot of adrenaline” to the pro-life movement, offering pro-life advocates a decisive opportunity to end Roe v. Wade.

 “What a difference one Justice makes! This 5-4 victory underscores the importance of electing a President who will appoint judges who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law,” commented Anita Staver, President of Liberty Counsel.

The next presidential election may be the most crucial for the pro-life movement, since the next President could radically change the composition of the Court in his next term and decide the fate of Roe. Pro-Roe justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 74, and Justice John Paul Stevens, who turns 87 today, may step down in the next President’s term.

In Missouri, Attorney General Jay Nixon released a statement on the Supreme Court's vindication of the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion Ban, saying he expected to soon enforce Missouri’s ban on partial-birth abortion, which was held by the U.S. Supreme Court pending a decision in Gonzales v. Carhart.

"Because of the Supreme Court's decision today in that case upholding a federal ban on partial-birth abortions, we expect the Court soon will refer the Missouri case to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. When that occurs, we will immediately file to request the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to remove the injunction on enforcement of the Missouri law."

Missouri’s Governor Matt Blunt said he welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, and asked the Missouri Legislature to send him more “strong pro-life legislation this year” that “reflects the values of Missourians, respects the sanctity of all human life and will ultimately help to reduce the number of abortions that occur in our state."

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