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Ballot initiative would outlaw abortion
Comments 0 | Recommend 0Peyton committee’s measure must pass title-setting board
DENVER - A newly formed El Paso County political committee has submitted a ballot initiative that would outlaw abortion in Colorado by changing the state constitution to define life as beginning at conception.
The measure goes Wednesday before a title-setting board of the Secretary of State, which must determine whether its title is a single subject and in proper form. If that board gives its OK, Colorado for Equal Rights has six months to collect roughly 76,000 signatures to get the amendment on the November 2008 ballot.
The group seeks to add a clause to state law that the term “person” shall include “any human being from the moment of fertilization.” Similar efforts are under way in other states, including Mississippi and Georgia, said Mark Meuser, organizer for the Peytonbased committee.
Doing so would address a loophole in the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973, Meuser said. That loophole comes in a statement in the majority opinion that reads that if the personhood of the fetus is established, its right to life is protected under the 14th Amendment.
“When Colorado passes this, if somebody were to do an abortion, it would be murder,” Meuser said.
Pro-choice groups are citing the same ruling as argument against the proposal, saying that the Supreme Court ruled that abortion is a right.
“We don’t support any bans that would put a woman’s health and safety at risk. Restricting a health care service would put a woman’s health and safety at risk,” said Katie Groke-Ellis, public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Meuser said the group is putting together a coalition of supporters that it hopes to announce soon. Focus on the Family Action President Jim Pfaff said his group has not been involved in the effort but supports the initiative. Susan Rezzonico, director of social concerns and public policy for the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, said her group is watching the proposal.
CONTACT THE WRITER: (303)837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com
