Click here for an update on the court hearing in federal court.
On Tuesday, April 5 at 9:30 am (cdt), the trial begins. Lawyers for Planned Parenthood activists will argue that the state's long-established process for counting votes and ratifying amendments to the state constitution somehow violated the rights of pro-abortion voters who opposed pro-life Amendment 1.
Unable to win at the ballot box on November 4, 2014, Planned Parenthood Board Chair Tracey George waited just 3 days before filing her legal challenge to overturn the outcome of the election. They claim violation of federal rights, disenfranchisement, and a "fundamentally unfair" system. And, most critically, the pro-abortion activists demand that Amendment 1---and the votes of pro-life Tennesseans---be thrown out.
Your prayers are needed now to defend the hard-won victory on Amendment 1 and to protect Tennessee's abortion-vulnerable women, girls, and unborn children.
The office of the Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery has worked hard and has made legal defense of Amendment 1 a priority. His team will argue that the pro-abortion claims lack textual or historical basis and that the process for ratifying an amendment in Tennessee is constitutional and consistent. Chief Judge Kevin Sharp will hear arguments and make a ruling that will truly have life and death implications for the unborn.
Should Amendment 1 be struck down, Tennessee will once again be known as an abortion destination with an ever-increasing number of out-of-state abortions due to lack of regulation at the facilities. Newly-passed protections enacted by our pro-life Legislature and Governor would be struck down without the possibility of passing others. Abortion would again be a so-called fundamental right in the Tennessee Constitution.
Tennessee Right to Life is confident that Amendment 1 will ultimately be upheld. But we remember that this is, first and foremost, a spiritual battle and prayer is necessary for us to prevail. Thank you in advance for joining with us one more time as we make the case for life.