Opponents of abortion-rights make their voices heard at Capitol

By Margaret Stewart, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Activists gathered Wednesday at the Missouri State Capitol to promote their views opposing abortion.
There are currently four bills in the legislature regarding equal protection and personhood resolutions. They’re being offered after voters approved abortion rights in Missouri in 2024.
Members of Abolitionists Rising traveled to the Capitol from across Missouri and from other states, such as the Abbott family from Alabama.
Wes Scroggins, executive director of Abolish Abortion Missouri, said that the group believes “the killing of the pre-born human being needs to be completely abolished with no exceptions.”
Scroggins emphasized the importance of personhood bills. HJR 109 and SJR 72 “would place the personhood of the pre-born person into the state Constitution.” These bills seek to clarify being a “person” starts at conception.
The equal protection bills, HB 1682 and SB 951, would provide equal protection and justice under the law “from the beginning of biological development.”
About 75 people were present, including families and children of all ages.
Activist Brigette Abbott and her son Paul Abbott II said they initially joined the cause 11 years ago because they were “called as Christians.” They said their movement is distinct from “pro-life” movements because it allows “no exceptions” for abortion in reference to cases of rape or incest.
Paul Abbott II said he chose the abortionist cause over pro-life because it is “more consistent,” and pro-life “doesn’t go far enough.” He advocated for “no distinction at all” between homicide of “an unborn person and a born person.”
The group highlighted the importance of justice for “pre-born persons.” Scroggins said abortion should be treated as a homicide.
“It would work like any other charge of murder,” he said. If so, any person over 18 who receives an abortion would be eligible for the death penalty.
Paul Abbott, a Baptist pastor and Brigette Abbott’s husband, addressed the crowd at the Capitol.
“Never in history have we made homicide and health care somehow working together,” he said. “We have a right to life, not opinion. Keep your opinion to yourself.”