A Year in Review: The First Year in a Post-Roe America

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” - John 10:10

A year ago we heard those words echo across the nation: “The constitution does not confer a right to abortion, roe and casey are overruled” The decision was released at 10:10am on June 24th, 2022, and suddenly we lived in a post-roe america for the very first time. In that exact moment, abortion was no longer upheld on a federal level. Now, abortion rights in America will be decided by the states. Let’s take a look at some of the legislative updates and how the pro-life generation is protecting life in a now post-roe nation. 

Legislative review

The moment that the decision came out, North Dakota immediately outlawed abortions across the state, except in special cases. Red River Women’s Clinic could no longer perform abortions legally in the state of North Dakota, so their facility now resides in Moorhead, Minnesota. This was due to a trigger law put in place in 2007 before the overturn of Roe that would immediately ban abortions. However, the courts blocked this law from going into effect immediately in July of 2022. This decision has now been repealed. Recently, the governor of North Dakota signed into law a bill that prohibits abortion past 6 weeks, with the exception of rape or life of the mother. Even with these exceptions in place, all abortions in ND must stop after 6 weeks. North Dakota will also show fetal development in public education. 

This past winter, Minnesota signed into law the PRO (Protect Reproductive Options) Act. This will codify abortion in Minnesota up until the moment of birth, with no parental notification laws. In addition to this, Minnesota has removed protection for infants who have been born alive during failed abortions, which happens on average 21 times every year in the state of Minnesota. This bill also appealed a bipartisan program that supports pregnant women who choose life for their babies. The last infanticide bill was passed in New York in 2018, which now makes Minnesota one of the most extreme pro-abortion states in the nation. However, state lines do not determine our worth as human beings, and we are prepared to fight these individual state battles. 

In addition to these laws, North Carolina recently passed a 12-week abortion ban. Also since the overturn of Roe, Wyoming was the very first state to ban the abortion pill. Other regulations have included born alive infants protection acts and abortion bans following viability. We are also pushing for life at conception bills and protection when a heartbeat is detected. In a post-Roe America, half of the entire nation has banned abortion after 12 weeks. 

No woman stands alone in a post-Roe America

In addition to protecting life in law, we are also pushing for increased support for women in unexpected pregnancies so that we can make abortion both illegal and unthinkable. 

This past year, the NDSU campus was added to the Standing With You resource page. On standingwithyou.com, pregnancy resources are made accessible simply by typing in your zip code. “North Dakota State University Pregnancy Help” is now able to reach pregnant and parenting students on the NDSU campus. 

In addition to this, bisonCatholic has been supporting the campus through fliers that list all local pregnancy resource centers, national resources, and healing support. Across the state, pregnancy resource centers, faith groups, maternity homes, and other organizations and associations are fighting for women and their preborn children. They are offering material and emotional support, free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, and any other support that women need. By reducing the supply and demand of the abortion industry, we are creating a culture of life in North Dakota and beyond. We also educate our peers about abortion and nonviolent resources so that women are aware of their options and can choose life. 

Through education, we are also able to talk with students about current issues that are facing the pro-life movement. Since the overturn of Roe, one of these battles has been the rise of chemical abortion across the country. Now, chemical abortions make up 54% of all abortions nationwide. Chemical abortion is a regime made up of two medications, which are now being sold essentially by mail, despite most risks not being disclosed. To combat this, we tabled on campus with information about the chemical abortion regime. Through this, we talked to over 50 students about what chemical abortion is, and what we are doing about it. Other events this year included a campus march for life, regional training, and writing handwritten letters to pregnant women in our community. 

As the battle continues and we move forward in a post-Roe America, we can have hope for a culture that celebrates all life. It may not seem like it, but every small moment that we fight for women and their preborn children matters. Every action, big or small, led us to where we are now. Overturning Roe felt impossible for decades, but nothing is impossible for God. Keep celebrating the gift of life.