In this series
Despite snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures, thousands of people are still protesting abortions during today's 41st March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., from the National Mall to the Supreme Court.
CNN thoroughly examines six big changes that mark pivots from the previous 40 years' worth of rallies, including how the rally no longer focuses exclusively on abortion or Roe v. Wade, but this year centers upon a new theme: adoption. Religion News Service examines another one of these changes: greater outreach to evangelicals by the traditionally Catholic event.
The march comes amid recent reports that recap abortion in 2013. [Note: Pew Research offers five helpful stats about views on abortion.]
On the pro-choice side, the Guttmacher Institute rounds up the latest stats on abortion laws:
Twenty-two states enacted 70 abortion restrictions during 2013. This makes 2013 second only to 2011 in the number of new abortion restrictions enacted in a single year. To put recent trends in even sharper relief, 205 abortion restrictions were enacted over the past three years (2011–2013), but just 189 were enacted during the entire previous decade (2001–2010).
On the pro-life side, Americans United for Life released a 2014 "Life List," noting which states have improved the most:
In 2013, 48 states considered approximately 360 measures related to abortion, and the majority of these measures were life-affirming. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, and Texas made the most significant progress in implementing life-affirming and protective agendas. Of particular note, North Dakota, relying on AUL model language, became the first state to enact a ban on abortions performed for genetic abnormalities.
The National Right to Life Committee also released a State of Abortion 2014 report, noting:
After reaching an all-time high of over 1.6 million in 1990, the number of abortions performed annually in the U.S. appear to have dropped to around 1.1 million a year. This drop in the annual number of abortions can be traced to pro-life legislative efforts at the state and federal level that have raised awareness about the humanity of the unborn child.
CT regularly reports on abortion and the pro-life movement, including:
Abortion Clinics Closing at Record Rate
Reasons vary, but the trend is clear.Judge Rules on Texas Abortion Bans That Made Wendy Stand
Does today's decision vindicate pro-choice Texas senator's half-day filibuster?Largest Pro-Life Group Boots Ohio Affiliate for Opposing Same-Sex Marriage
Groups disagree: Is Sen. Rob Portman, first pro-life politician to turn pro-gay, now friend or foe?Crowd Gears up for March For Life
Republican lawmakers write a letter to President Barack Obama as crowd prepares to march.Thrivent Suspends All Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Groups from Lutheran Charity Program
After one of 1,300 local chapters approves Planned Parenthood affiliate, Christian financial services organization rethinks letting members direct donations.Abortion Meets a New Generation
Progressive evangelicals can't tout social justice while side-stepping the sanctity of life.Were the Church Fathers Consistently Pro-Life?
Historian Ron Sider (yes, historian) urges us to pay attention to the evidence.Public Schoolers Take Anti-Abortion Activism to Classrooms–and to Court
Recent cases indicate that the new abortion battleground could be public schools, Washington Post suggests.
