The Fight for Life is Too Important for Young Conservatives to Ignore

The United States is one of only seven countries in the world that allows elective abortion past 20 weeks. Fortunately, at the state level conservatives are working to change that.  The latest pro-life victory occurred on May 25^th when Governor Nikki Haley signed into law a bill that would ban abortions past the 20-week mark in the state of South Carolina, with very few life threatening exceptions. Although South Carolina is the 17^th state to sign a 20-week abortion ban into law, it is important that we do not stop at this victory.  It is crucial that other states across the country follow suit in taking measures to stand up for life. Actions like Governor Haley’s are not achieved without the overwhelming support and advocacy of pro-life activists in the Conservative Movement who work tirelessly to promote the right to life each day.  At YAF, we see that conservative student activists are not only scrutinized but often are demonized for advocating for the right to life on their campuses.

Just in this past semester, YAF activists at Southern Methodist University had their pro-life club’s Memorial of Innocence kicked down within just a few hours of being assembled. Students quickly gathered in response to set the display right back up and keep watch through the night. Diego Rebollar, a YAF activist at Bellarmine College Prep was faced not only with threats for setting up a display in honor of the 55+ million innocent Americans killed by abortion, but was named called to no end and even told to “drink bleach” by “tolerant” and “open-minded” students. Instead of backing down, Diego responded to these attacks with factual comebacks that left liberals speechless. In this time where the sanctity of life is being ignored, it is crucial that students not be discouraged by the left’s intimidation tactics. Shying away from socially conservative issues such as life is not the solution to the problem that, today alone, 3,322 babies will be killed in the United States because of abortion. YAF activists are on the front lines, boldly promoting issues such as the right to life that other students avoid.  YAFers understand the importance of being resilient when your conservative values are attacked and how standing up for the right to life can have an impact that reaches even further than their peers on campus. To start a YAF chapter or to find out if YAF is on your campus, contact Program Officer for Chapter Services Lauren McCue or call 800-USA-1776.