Ripple Effects: AZ’s Voter Pamphlet Swaps Term ‘Unborn Human Being’ for ‘Fetus’
This November, Arizona voters will decide whether to add the “right” to an abortion to their state constitution. However, those voters may be surprised if they read the voter pamphlet.
Why? Because in describing the new laws and measures being proposed, the pamphlet will refer to the baby as an “unborn human being,” rather than “fetus,” the term abortions supporters prefer, thanks to an August 14 ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court.
“The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the pamphlet for voters can refer to a fetus as an ‘unborn human being’ because it is an unborn human being,” Arizona Right to Life Board Member and President-Elect Jill Norgaard told The Stream. “Using the phrase ‘unborn human fetus’ desensitizes people to that fact. Abortion Access Act proponents want voters to be detached from the fact that a human life is being taken. If they were really concerned about women and their rights, why are they not trying to save babies, 50 percent which are women?”
According to The Associated Press, the secretary of state’s office has certified 577,971 signatures — more than enough to put the question of whether to amend the constitution to include abortion on the ballot.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, enshrining abortion in states’ constitutions has been a major goal for abortion activists.
Woman Who Prayed Outside Abortion Center in UK Wins Settlement From Police
A British woman who was arrested for praying silently outside an abortion center in the United Kingdom in late 2022 won a settlement from police, LifeNews reported Monday.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was in a censorship zone in Birmingham where pro-lifers were banned from protesting, counseling, praying, or even standing when she was arrested. She was charged with four counts of “failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order.” The charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence, but the Crown Prosecution Service informed her they could be reinstated.
However, on Monday Vaughan-Spruce was awarded £13,000 (nearly $17,000 USD) and an apology from West Midlands Police for being “unlawfully arrested.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)-UK, defended Vaughan-Spruce.
“Isabel’s experience should be deeply concerning to all those who believe that our hard-fought fundamental rights are worth protecting,” he said. “It is truly astonishing that the law has granted local authorities such wide and unaccountable discretion, that now even thoughts deemed ‘wrong’ can lead to a humiliating arrest and a criminal charge.”
Vaughan-Spruce is the director of the UK March for Life.
Nancy Flory, Ph.D., is a senior editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.
