Californians Rally to Fight for Life

Story by Trinity Grau and Margot Bass
Photos by Caleb Carter and Caleb Santos
Video shot and produced by Caleb Carter

Between 2,500 to 3,000 Californians gathered on April 19 at the State Capitol in Sacramento to oppose AB 2223, a controversial bill currently before the California Assembly that many fear would legalize infanticide.

A large crowd gathers at the California State Capitol on April 19 to protest Assembly Bill 2223, controversial legislation that many fear will legalize infanticide. Jack Hibbs, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, and John Randall, senior pastor of Calvary South Orange County were two of several speakers that day who urged churches and pastors to stand for righteousness and to hold their legislators and government accountable. Photo by Caleb Carter

Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, through its Real Impact ministry, led the effort to organize a rally outside the Capitol and encourage citizens to share their views in a Health Committee hearing that day. Despite strong opposition, the committee passed AB 2223, which now goes to the Appropriations Committee; if it passes there, it will be voted on by the entire Assembly.

                  

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Pastor Jack Hibbs rallied the crowd to action at California Lobby Day. Photo by Caleb Carter

AB 2223 states that a person will not be “subject to civil or criminal liability or penalty” based on their actions “with respect to their pregnancy or actual, potential, or alleged pregnancy outcome, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion, or perinatal death.” Pro-life advocates are concerned that perinatal can be defined as death that can occur weeks after birth—in effect, infanticide.

Participants at the California Lobby Day make their own posters before the rally begins. An estimated 2,500-3,000 people protested at the event; about 370 attended the Health Committee hearing that day to ask the members to vote No on the bill. Although AB 2223 passed and is moving forward, the effort to stop it will continue. Photo by Caleb Santos

Proponents claim that AB 2223 will protect women, but the proposed amount of time for legalized post-birth abortions may be up to 28 days. The bill further protects anyone who aids or assists a pregnant person in exercising these “rights” and allows a woman to sue any police department or legal authority which arrests or charges her for hurting or killing her baby.

Two women carry their homemade signs at the Capitol rally. The crowd was excited to exercise their rights as citizens to influence legislation. Photo by Caleb Carter

At the rally, CC Chino Hills Senior Pastor Jack Hibbs exhorted Californians to contact their legislators to vote No on AB 2223.

                  

Read the complete story in Issue 92 of Calvary Chapel Magazine, soon to be released. To get your copy you can subscribe at this website calvarychapelmagazine.org or by calling 540-373-7882.

                  

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All verses above are quoted from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

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