Backers of a bill that would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected rallied at the Statehouse yesterday, trying to convince Ohio lawmakers to pass the measure introduced three years ago. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
Seventy baby outfits hung from a clothes line draped across the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse served as the backdrop for a prayer rally. Praise music and pastor testimonials continued for the better part of three hours. One pastor pointed to the clothes that were going to be given to key Ohio lawmakers as a representation of the number of pregnancies terminated through abortion every day in Ohio.
Pastor – “Every one of these represent a baby that’s going to be thrown in the trash can. Oh God. (Fade under)”
Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck had been publicizing the prayer rally at the Ohio Statehouse for more than a week. About 75 people showed up for the event sponsored by Faith 2 Action, a group headed by abortion opponent Janet Folger Porter. She was crying as she told the crowd she cannot stand by quietly on this issue.
Folger – “I don’t care anymore what people think. Did you ever get to the point where you are so desperate for God that you don’t care? That’s where we are” (Fade under)
Later in the rally, three state representatives who support the heartbeat bill told the crowd they were glad to sign the discharge petition to try to bring the legislation up for a vote. Representative Ron Hood admitted most of his colleagues were not ready to vote on this bill because it goes further than other abortion restrictions recently passed.
Hood – “This bill goes at the heart of the issue. This bill doesn’t make you change the way you are going to kill a baby. This bill actually prohibits abortion and saves a life.”
But Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonadakis says what he has said since the bill was first introduced two years ago – it’s unconstitutional.
Gonadakis – “We know that two states have already passed the heartbeat bill and both of those states, one in Arkansas and one in North Dakota, completely different parts of the country, struck it down. And these were conservative judges too. These weren’t liberal judges.
Gonadakis says his group doesn’t want to support a bill that courts could ultimately use to expand abortion opportunities in Ohio. He says recently passed laws that restrict abortions are working.
Gonadakis “There was 14 abortion clinics about 12 to 18 months ago. Today, there are eight left.”
Backers of the “Heartbeat Bill” are hoping the message attached to the baby clothes and the prayers prayed during the rally will convince state leaders to pass the bill. The bill’s supporters have sent roses and teddy bears to lawmakers in the past and while the legislation was approved by the House in 2011, it’s never gone any further.