Pro-life Democrat calls for 'unity' for life

Washington D.C., Jan 24, 2020 / 17:15 pm

Pro-life unity comes before party loyalty, a Democratic state senator said Friday at the national March for Life on Friday.

"This is not a party issue. This is an issue of unifying America," Louisiana State Sen. Katrina Jackson (D) told CNA in an interview on Friday, before the 47^th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.  Jackson addressed the March for Life rally later in the day.

"This is an issue that hits every community, and it's not about where we come from or what party you're a part of or a member of. This issue is about America itself and our children," she said.

Jackson said her views on abortion are rooted in her Christian faith. 

"God hates the shedding of innocent blood," Jackson said.

"So when America really wants to see a turnaround, in our economy and in the things that we are concerned about," she said, "we have to honor God. And being pro-life is a part of honoring God."

Jackson was one of a series of speakers from both political parties at Friday's March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  

"I tell everyone Louisiana is the number one pro-life state, and you know why? Because in Louisiana the majority of Democrats that are elected are pro-lifers," Jackson said at the rally.

Louisiana is evidence that bipartisan unity on the issue is possible, she said, while exhorting the pro-life movement to put the principle of unity into practice.

"In unity, we must fight like we've never fought before," she said.

The lineup of speakers at the rally most notably included President Donald Trump, the first president to attend a March for Life in person.

Trump addressed thousands of rally participants as his impeachment trial continued in the U.S. Senate on Friday, with House trial managers making their case for a conviction on two counts of abuse of office and obstruction of Congress.

Louisiana's First Lady Donna Hutto Edwards-whose husband John Bel Edwards is the Democratic governor who signed a "heartbeat" abortion ban into law in 2019-also spoke from the rally stage.

"Pro-life is pro-woman," Edwards said at the rally. "Life is precious in every stage and should be respected and protected."

Jackson told CNA on Friday morning that, even though Louisiana voters might in general be more pro-life than the rest of the country, other states do have pro-life who constituencies who oppose abortion, in whole or in part. Pro-lifers need to unify behind pro-life candidates from both parties, she said.

"And so that is my concern, that if life is the issue, which it is-doesn't matter what party you're a member of-that pro-lifers should support each other," she told CNA.

"And I'm hoping that what we're seeing in Louisiana begins to basically move throughout other states."

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), an eight-term pro-life Catholic congressman, is a national example of a politician deserving of pro-life support, she said.

His "Republican constituency" may disagree with some of his votes, she said, but the message of bipartisan unity is making inroads around the country.

Earlier this month, Lipinski told CNA that support of his campaign from pro-life groups was "not as much as I'd like to see," as he faces a second consecutive primary challenge from pro-abortion candidate Marie Newman.

Jackson, answering for herself, said on Friday that as a Democrat she has seen support from national pro-life groups including National Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony List, as well as the group Save the Storks.

Jackson was a keynote speaker at Save the Stork's annual charity ball on Thursday evening.

Through attending national events, Jackson said she has discovered Democrats from around the country who either oppose abortion or are in disagreement with the party's radical shift in support of abortion.

The 2016 DNC platform that stated "unequivocal" support for abortion access, and no 2020 Democratic presidential candidate opposes taxpayer funding of abortion.

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Jackson said she is working to give pro-life Democrats "a place back in their party."

"I really believe that we're on the cusp of really building up the party and understanding that what you believe, or what the party platform is, is not what most Democrats believe," she said.