LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Within several hours of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade on Friday, a petition initiative revved up in Michigan which aims to ask voters in November to approve an abortion rights amendment in the state constitution.

Supporters have until July 11 to collect 425,000 signatures from Michigan voters in support of the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative.

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has gone on record several times saying she will not uphold a ban on abortion, while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vowed to “fight like hell” to ensure “menstruating people” have a legal right to abortion.

 

 

Christen Pollo, Executive Director of Protect Life Michigan, is fighting against the petition drive. She told “The Steve Gruber Show” on Monday that the proposed amendment is “incredibly radical.”

“Even a vast majority of people who consider themselves pro-choice don’t support [the amendment],” Pollo said. “It legalizes late-term abortions, potentially infanticide, legalizes partial-birth abortion, and tax payer-funded abortions. It repeals parental consent and health and safety standards at abortion clinics that protect women from botched abortions.”

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Judy Climer, Director of Flint Area Right to Life, is part of the same fight as Pollo. Climer warned that some petition signature collectors have been lying to people, saying the petition is to outlaw abortion in Michigan in order to collect more signatures.

In the meantime, Climer recommends people contact their state representatives to reduce the cost of adoptions.

“It costs tens of thousands of dollars for a couple to adopt a child, and only several hundred dollars to abort a child,” Climer said.

Planned Parenthood, which boasts it provides numerous services other than abortions, is reassuring women that they can still receive abortions in Michigan while the courts sort out the laws.

“Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s doors remain open,” said Ashlea Phenicie, Director of Communications at Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “We do not have plans to close health centers.”

According to its 2019-20 national annual report, Planned Parenthood’s abortion services accounted for 3 percent of its overall services.

“There are many anti-abortion politicians and activists spreading misinformation,” Phenicie said.

As of right now, Michigan has a preliminary injunction against the state’s 1931 abortion ban and abortion remains legal until the state rules otherwise.

“If a ban were to take effect in Michigan, Planned Parenthood would serve as a connector, helping patients find care in states like Illinois and New York,” Phenicie said. “Planned Parenthood of Michigan would also continue providing essential reproductive health care like birth control, STI testing and treatment, breast exams, and more.”