One year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, affirming the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and returning the issue of abortion to the states. While some view the landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization as the apex of five decades of pro-life activism, many advocates for life are finding the fight for the unborn is far from over.
"I believe our fight is more intense than it ever was before," says Kristi Judkins, executive director at Iowa Right to Life. "The adversarial side ramped up. They were disgruntled obviously about the decision.
"It's like their deception and the information that they're sharing, which is not factual and is not scientifically or medically based, has amplified."
Iowans gathered over the weekend for a March for Life event to commemorate the overturning of Roe and to discuss other in-state efforts involving abortion.
Judkins says it's vital that people stay as active and engaged as abortion groups, holding accountable legislators and elected officials – including those who are seeking an elected office – who say they are pro-life.
"They need to be aware that their constituents want to make sure that they're going to do all that they can when they're making laws and creating legislation that's going to support life and support for mothers who are choosing either to have their baby or give their baby up for adoption," she advises.
According to LifeNews.com, Americans' support for abortion has been dropping since the Dobbs decision on June 24, 2022. The news outlet cites a recent Gallup survey showing a minority of Americans want all or most abortions legal while more Americans want all or most abortions made illegal.
Renewing culture of life – one pedal stroke at a time
While some Americans march to demonstrate their support for life, others "bike for babies."
Nikki Biese, executive director of Biking for Babies, told the American Family Radio audience on Friday the group's purpose is two-fold: raising awareness and financial support for women in crisis and pregnancy centers – and raising up young adults who are articulate in sharing the gospel and the message of life with their peers.
"[We want] them to have the toolkit necessary to share the gospel of life [and] to be partnered with a specific pregnancy center," she told show host Walker Wildmon. "[This is] the age range that abortion happens the most, so we form these young people, hoping they go to their peers."
Biking for Babies' 2023 National Ride – six days long – begins on July 10, with the riders ("missionaries") converging on St. Louis, Missouri, and Washington, DC, from seven different states. Almost 80 young adults have trained and are preparing for the upcoming event.
Biese said while the road may be hard and the hours long, their hope for the generations is what keeps the missionaries joyful.
"Everybody's going to suffer in this route [but] everybody's going to band together – and if you follow us on social media or any of our videos on YouTube and our website, you'll see these young people smiling," she explained. "They have this contagious joy because our hope is in the Lord and we get to share that with people; and [because] we're doing this for people who need us, who need our physical witness of what's needed in response to that crisis."
The Biking for Babies website identifies the missionaries by name and by route – and the ministry encourages the pro-life community to come alongside them in prayer as the event nears.
