Infanticide: Abortion's Next Step

Thousands of California pro-lifers rallied at the state capitol on Tuesday to protest what they call an extreme pro-abortion bill that removes all civil and criminal penalties in the deaths of newborn babies.

Many are calling it "The Infanticide Bill" because it goes beyond anything we have seen before from the Margaret Sanger-inspired pro-abortion movement.

Leaders in other "progressive" states are watching and taking note.

Be informed, not misled.

The pro-abortion lobby and their allies in the media have said that the bill does not allow "infanticide." Of course, the bill doesn't mention that term, but it does remove all penalties and investigations that would result in the "perinatal death" of infants. Since that term is not clearly defined, opponents, say the measure essentially opens the door for the negligent deaths of babies who somehow survive late-term abortions - otherwise known as "infanticide."

Why the bill opens the door for infanticide.

The bill, AB 2223, removes the duty of the coroner to determine how a newborn died if the death is known or suspected to be the result of a self-induced or criminal abortion.

The Right To Life League explains that "A mother, her boyfriend or, for that matter, the babysitter, can starve or beat or shake a 3-week-old baby to death and no one can investigate because under AB 2223 it is a 'perinatal death'." 

The new language added to AB 2223 last week revealed the disturbing intent. The proposed legislation would shield a mother from civil and criminal charges for any “actions or omissions” related to her pregnancy, “including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion, or perinatal death.” Although definitions of “perinatal death” vary, all of them include the demise of newborns seven days or more after birth.

Attorney Matthew McReynolds with the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) called the measure "evil."

He said: "California lawmakers have crossed a red line by seeking to legitimize the killing of hours-old and even week-old infants. This is not about expanding abortion rights; this is a degree of evil that the overwhelming majority of Americans, regardless of how they identify politically, cannot stomach. We will be working to defeat this insane and diabolical bill." 

Jonathan Keller, President of the California Council, says: “For years, pro-life advocates have argued there is no moral difference between ending a child’s life days before birth or days after birth. California’s pro-abortion legislators now seemingly agree. A political culture that justifies killing millions of children in the womb is now declaring open season on unwanted newborns. Every Californian must oppose this heinous bill.”

Attorney and Chief Executive Officer Alexandra Snyder of the Life Legal Defense Foundation says, "AB 2223 is not only a pro-abortion bill – it removes all civil and criminal penalties for killing babies born alive under any circumstances. The bill expressly authorizes any person to facilitate late-term abortions and infanticide without legal repercussions. Life Legal condemns the use of euphemisms like 'personal reproductive decisions' and ‘reproductive justice’ to justify and encourage the killing of babies in and outside the womb."

Those who are advancing abortion under the guise of "women's reproductive health care" have seemly let their masks slip---admitting it was never about "healthcare" anyway.

It's about abortion on demand.

Infanticide is contagious.

As California is rushing headlong into abortion's "next step," other far-Left states are taking note and taking action.

Governor Newsom formed the “Future of Abortion Council” last year in an effort to turn California into a “sanctuary state” for the procedure. Organizers listed AB 2223 as part of their legislation package implementing a 45-point plan to “expand and protect access” to abortion in California. 

A few weeks ago, Maryland introduced a bill that “decriminalizes neglecting newborns to death” using the same “perinatal death” language, though the bill hearing was canceled.

In 2019, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was widely condemned for a radio interview asserting doctors could decide to allow children to die after birth “if that’s what the mother and the family desired.”

Northup, himself a medical doctor, said: "If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."

He also said he thinks this whole issue is "blown out of proportion."

The battle is the Lord's

An estimated 3,000 people, including pastors and citizens, attended a protest in Sacramento this week to lobby against AB 2223.

A video of the rally shows protesters holding signs that read, "Babies' Lives Matter" and singing worship songs together.

One California pro-life protester wrote to CBN News describing the scene at the capitol on Tuesday. 

"We prayed together, sang worship songs, and stood firm on God's Word. But our battle isn't over yet! We have so much more to do!" she wrote. "The battle belongs to the LORD! Stand firm and undaunted because we fight from a position of victory through Jesus and His finished work on the cross! IT IS FINISHED!"

It is finished indeed!

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Faithful. Be Prayerful.