Pro-life groups to rally at Kathy Tran town hall, protest 'radical expansion of abortion'

Nine pro-life groups plan to rally Saturday outside a public town hall meeting hosted by Virginia DelegateKathy Tran, the Democratic state legislator who has been a the center of controversy and press attention following her introduction of legislation which would relax restrictions on third-trimester abortions in the Commonwealth.

The bill was later defeated by a Virginia House subcommittee. The pro-life groups, however, remain vigilant and alarmed.

“On the heels of New York’s radical expansion of abortion, DelegateTran’s bill and Governor Northam’s statements reveal with alarming clarity what the modern Democratic Party stands for and their agenda for our nation — abortion on demand, up until the moment of delivery and even beyond. This position is irreconcilable with the beliefs, values, and desires of most Americans,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, a grass-roots nonprofit with 700,000 members nationwide.

Organizing groups Concerned Women for America, The Virginia Family Foundation, Virginia Society for Human Life, Students for Life, Live Action, Heritage Action for America, Divine Mercy Care and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington will gather outside a Virginia high school just an hour beforeMrs. Tran’s town hall begins.

“We need as many pro-life Virginians as possible to show up at 12:00 Noon for the pro-life press conference and rally before the town hall. We encourage concerned citizens to then stay for the town hall, and call upon DelegateTranand her allies to abandon this extreme legislation,” the groups said in their public message for the event, which they plan tostream liveon Facebook.

“Since the bill hearing I have heard from many women in this district and across Virginia who support my efforts to make sure that politicians don’t get between a woman and her health care decision,”Mrs. Transaid in a video statement released Friday.

Virginia state Democratic Sens. Scott Surovell and George Barker will also appear at the town meeting.