Pro-Life Groups Rally at Florida Capitol Urging Hard Restrictions: ‘No More Excuses’

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida Voice for the Unborn and Family for LIFE hosted a “Pro-Life Day of Action” at the Florida State Capitol complex urging lawmakers to pass legislation prohibiting abortions from the moment of conception.

Their theme for the lobby day is: “Make Florida Totally Abortion Free! **No More Excuses**”

Activists dropped off thousands of postcards signed by individual Floridians to the Senate President’s office and the House Speaker’s office asking them to pass legislation “protecting all unborn children, from the moment of conception” in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Florida Voice for the Unborn delivered 3,254 postcards and had at least 150 people demonstrating inside.

“The ‘Free State of Florida’ cannot be truly free until you act to make it TOTALLY abortion free,” the postcard said.

Florida Voice for the Unborn is a statewide pro-life grassroots lobbying group based in Tallahassee. The activists delivered the postcards on the same day of the Organizational Session where newly-elected lawmakers were sworn into office. Activists planned to visit the offices of the House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

House Speaker Paul Renner was asked about the protesters Tuesday. He said Republicans have “pro-life” majorities in both chambers.

“Having said that I can guarantee you that members on both sides have very different opinions on what it means to be pro-life and so I think that will be a conversation we’ll have going forward after we hear from everybody,” Renner explained.

Florida’s 15-week abortion ban is still being reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court. Passidomo was asked her thoughts on abortion for the upcoming legislative session.

“Until the Supreme Court weighs in on the 15 weeks, there’s really not much that we can do. You know, everybody knows my position on the exception for rape and incest. I wanted to get that in the bill,” she explained. “When we did the 15 weeks it didn’t get in the bill but there’s really nothing to do until the Supreme Court rules.”

Passidomo previously told Florida’s Voice that if the Supreme Court upholds the law, lawmakers may be able to get a 12-week ban passed with the rape and incest exception.

The Pro-life Day of Action will conclude with an outdoor rally on the stairs of the Historic Capitol. Their main guest speaker will be well-known national pro-life advocate Pam Stenzel, who was conceived in rape and adopted. Several pro-life legislators are expected to join and speak at the rally as well.

Lydia Nusbaum contributed to this report.