Abortion-rights supporters continue efforts in Missouri
By Jazmine Knight
A Missouri abortion-rights support group is looking for 172,000 voter signatures before May 5 to ensure a spot on the November ballot, but obstacles remain.
The race for signatures on this petition comes from the recent halt of a Republican-led campaign to amend the near-total abortion ban. This made room for another ballot initiative campaign spearheaded by Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and more.
Currently in Missouri, abortion is illegal with the exception of medical emergencies.
“If women want abortions, they can still find a way to have abortion,” said Libby Owens, executive director of St. Joseph Pregnancy Resource Center.
Under the proposal from abortion rights supporters, lawmakers will still have the power to decide terms of viability, the ability to survive successfully with little or no support. However, Owens said it’s not that simple
“Viability is not just a clear-cut definition, but it is the idea of life progression and development,” Owens said. “I think with all the advancements that we have now, it’s really important to remember that viability can happen early.”
The St. Joseph PRC strives to help women at all stages of pregnancy, regardless of what lawmakers or voters decide.
“Education is in every aspect of what we do at PRC. We walk alongside that woman when she’s pregnant and many times when she doesn’t want to be pregnant. We want to be there to help,” Owens said.
“We understand the relevance of abortion in our culture and we want women to be thoroughly informed before they make any decision,” Owens said.
She advises voters to be educated if abortion rights do reach the ballots.
”In the months before an election, really read, understand number one, what you believe. And number two, what the ballots are asking, what we’re going to be voting on,” Owens said.
If this issue doesn’t make it to the ballot, Owens recommends women who are questioning their options regarding pregnancy to visit the PRC for free resources.
Owens said women can visit the PRC for free resources to explore options regarding pregnancy.
She encourages parents to utilize the help that the PRC offers in order to “love and care for every child.”
