Tag Archives: students for life

Students for Life Groups to call for investigations into fetal trafficking industry at their schools

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

The Center for Medical Progress videos that came out in the summer of 2015 and rocked the entire abortion industry became a catalyst for massive investigations into the illegal buying and selling of aborted baby body parts, invalid consent forms, and privacy violations – just to name a few of the criminal actions. At the end of last year, the Select Panel on Infant Lives in the U.S. House of Representatives, the task force investigating the abortion industry and their partners, released their findings in a 500-page massive report. During the course of their year-long investigation, they recommended over a dozen criminal referrals for Planned Parenthood and their business partners in the fetal trafficking industry.

Some of the referrals were against the University of New Mexico and other findings in the report pointed to the possible illegal involvement of other universities who may have been (and continue to) participate in the fetal trafficking industry.

Students for Life groups at these schools have been following the developments and with our help at national Students for Life of America, will be hosting rallies over the next month calling on their universities to stop participating in fetal trafficking and ask for investigations into possible criminal violations.

The map shows where we will be holding rallies:

  • The University of New Mexico
  • Indiana University
  • The University of Texas Medical Branch
  • University of Michigan
  • Colorado State University

Women and their preborn babies are merely numbers and dollars signs to the abortion industry, which seeks to make a profit off of illegally trafficking baby body parts and selling them for profit. The Select Panel report points to these universities as likely players in the fetal trafficking industry.

Additionally, contrary to what the abortion industry says, there is zero evidence that fetal tissue of aborted babies has contributed to any kind of life-saving treatment for disease. The abortion industry uses non-existent research for pressure women for their consent to hand over their aborted children for profit.

 

My conversation with abortion advocates at the March for Life

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

By Sade Patterson, SFLA Correspondent

There are always those unseen and unheard stories from big events that never make the news but are interesting and compelling. Everyone who attends enormous events will have one to tell.

I attended the annual March for Life this past Friday and I indeed have my own story, one that even surprised me.

The crowd was enormous, a strong wave that flooded Constitution Ave., and the voices of Millennials seemed to be loud enough to be heard in every corner of the city. The energy was electric and contagious with every step towards the Supreme Court. Slowly, thousands of Millennials filled the space in front of the Supreme Court steps, overflowing over the sidewalk and touching the grass of the Capitol. Protesters made a thin line on the curb that divided pro-lifers from each other, standing side-by-side ready to defend abortion rights.

After photographing most of the march and encounters with protesters, I found myself behind the opposition. My co-worker was speaking to four college-aged women who were each holding a bright pink sign that read, “Keep Abortion Safe and Legal.” I sade MFLdecided to join the conversation, which ironically had nothing to do with abortion.

After getting to know the women a bit, I asked the simple question, “What’s your perspective on abortion?”

They explained that they supported abortion, especially if it was healthier for the mother. This gave me a great opportunity to discuss the risks of abortion, to which they were open to hearing. I referenced my local late-term abortion clinic’s consent form in Albuquerque, NM, and how it describes an abortion after 18 weeks to be more dangerous than actually caring the baby to term.

I got an apathetic reaction, which I expected, since understanding the risks of an abortion is not usually tangible.

At this point, I asked if I could explain the perspective of the pro-life movement. I chose to ask this because just feet away there was a preacher with a bullhorn yelling at and condemning pro-choice activists, and I didn’t want these women to walk away not knowing who the pro-life movement really is.

“We are not here to make decisions for women, but rather hoping to inform women of choices other than abortion so they can make an informed decision.”

This interested them so I went on.

“I work at a pregnancy resource center where we offer free resources to pregnant women in need to become self-sufficient and to feel supported enough to choose adoption or become parents while continuing their education or career.”

At that point, the woman who was most engaged in the conversation had a completely different expression on her face. At first she was curious and guarded, but she had now opened up and had a sense of interest in her eyes. She was moved, and she told me how amazing that was to hear.

I shared with her and her friends that I was once in the shoes of a woman who faced the decision of abortion when I found myself pregnant in my sophomore year of college.

If it hadn’t been for Students for Life of America’s Pregnant on Campus Initiative I can’t say with confidence what choice I would have made.

“I share this with you because I want you to know that the pro-life movement has the mission to love both the woman and her baby. Many of us know the struggles of an unplanned pregnancy, and we want women to feel empowered enough to not have to choose between their goals and their child.”

In that moment of the conversation the chanting and yelling in the background had faded, and we were so deeply engaged in this conversation. I noticed a reporter and camerawoman from ABC News had been filing our conversation.

“I love how genuine and sincere your approach is” she told me with excitement in her eyes and a growing smile on her face. I was thankful that the reporter had captured a positive encounter between a pro-life and a pro-choice advocate, and hoped that it would encourage others to find common ground I their conversations and always respect each other.

I was very thankful to have found common ground with these young women, which was that all women deserve to be informed of their decisions and deserve more than abortion.

However, since these women are now aware of the risks of abortion and the alternative options that are readily available, they cannot logically continue to be “pro-woman” and defend abortion. Even though we found common ground in that we all love women, being pro-woman begins in the womb and continues her entire life.

When we recognize that women deserve protection and equality in all stages of life we will be a culture that truly empowers and supports women.

February Event in a Box: We Don’t Need Planned Parenthood

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

Planned Parenthood has been in the news a lot lately, especially after the election. We want to help you understand and address commonly heard concerns regarding the nation’s largest abortion vendor.100yearsofabuse

Some of you may be wondering “Why Planned Parenthood?”

You may have heard arguments about the services Planned Parenthood provides. You may have heard their defenders argue that if we stop funding Planned Parenthood, we’re assaulting women’s healthcare.

Wondering how to respond?

This month’s Event in a Box will help you address why we don’t need Planned Parenthood, and give you practical tips for responding and addressing this topic at your school.

What’s In the box:

  • Pens
  • Post-its for tabling
  • Recruitment sheets
  • Social media graphics to post
  • “We Don’t Need Planned Parenthood” Guide
  • SFLA “We don’t Need Planned Parenthood” postcards
  • SFLA “We don’t Need Planned Parenthood” stickers
  • SFLA “Join us” postcards for recruitment
  • We don’t need Planned Parenthood flyers

To order the November Event-in-a-Box, contact your Regional Coordinator today.

Hypocrisy on Broadway

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

With a cast dominated by actors of color, Hamilton is fighting to highlight the roles of immigrants and minorities in early American politics and in today’s society. Its catchy songs appeal to theater geeks while its historical plot draws in political junkies for an entertaining dance through history. Alas, for a show that rallies for diversity and equality, it’s rather hypocritical that Hamilton’s golden boy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, is advocating for Planned Parenthood, a corrupt organization born out of a racist, eugenics-driven past.

In today’s update of Planned Parenthood’s desperate attempts to scrape even morehamilton money from Americans’ pockets, we have the talented Lin-Manuel Miranda, the writer of the Broadway musical hit Hamilton, offering a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience for a $10 donation to America’s abortion Goliath.

In September 2016, Miranda proudly boasted on Twitter about his mom’s affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Lin-Manual Miranda’s mother, Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, is on the national board of directors for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. He then encouraged supporters to donate to Planned Parenthood on Giving Tuesday.

And recently, the Broadway star is taking a new angle—bribing Hamilton fans with hotel and air fare, three Hamilton shows, and show paraphernalia. Yup, you too can sell your Hamilton-loving soul with a $10 to $5,000 donation to Planned Parenthood! (Yuck)

Oh this is awkward…

So you know that Planned Parenthood targets minorities, right? No? (Awkwaaaard.) Dear Mr. Miranda, here’s a little wake up call on Planned Parenthood. (I mean, you are fundraising for them, after all.)

But you know what, Lin-Manuel. Maybe racism, deceit, abuse, and death doesn’t turn your stomach? Well, then just take a quick peak at how well Planned Parenthood is going to manage your loyal fans’ money. (Hint: $129.7 million of waste, abuse, and potential fraud. HOORAY!)

We will tell their story

Mr. Miranda, you may refuse to defend those who are the most vulnerable in today’s society. You may refuse tell their story. You may even continue to openly advocate for Planned Parenthood and legalized murder in America. But know this…

This January, over 600,000 people will gather in Washington, D.C. We will gather like we have for 40+ years. The media will barely cover our protest. Broadway won’t sing songs. We will tell the story of 60 million preborn children and their mothers.

And guess what? “When our children tell our story,” they’ll tell of the story of how we abolished abortion in America.

 

Free hotel stay during the March for Life

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

After hearing about just how life-changing our Students for Life National Conference has been for so many young leaders, one of our long-time supporters just called and offered a generous grant to help us bring more people to our National Conferences than ever before.

Because we all know that staying in DC an extra night for the Students for Life National Conference is one of the biggest expenses you will have.

Here’s what our donor has offered to do:

Any student group (college, high school, youth group) that is coming to the March for Life in Washington and hasn’t registered yet for the Students for Life of America East Coast National Conference can get free hotel housing in Maryland near the conference venue if they register within the next two weeks.

Here’s the catch: We only have enough funds to pay for hotels for one night (so it’s first come, first served) and there will be four people to a room. Further, this awesome new opportunity only applies to student groups (10 people or more) who have never been to the Students for Life National Conference or who haven’t been to our Conference since 2013.

Want to make sure your group can come to our East Coast National Conference on Saturday, January 28th (the day after the March for Life)?

Simply fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlQ-aIPL-Yt6bOo2-B5S2B9gxMnqqzZaLVaw95tdbdcam6bw/viewform.

From there, we will send you the link to register for the conference and form to fill out for the free hotel rooms! The registration fee for the conference is only $45 per person and that includes free shuttle rides to and from the metro station, lunch, and dinner – plus, now, a free hotel night!

Check out the amazing, jam-packed schedule for break-out and general sessions featuring Abby Johnson, Josh Brahm, Shawn Carney and more at: www.sflalive.com/schedule.

If you can’t make it out to our East Coast National Conference but want to be at the West Coast National Conference on Sunday, January 22nd, you can register for that event easily at www.sflalive.com. The first 100 to register get 50% off their registration! Use the code: FIRST100

Nominate Your Group for SFLA’s Group of the Year Awards!

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

Every year, Students for Life of America is honored to award prizes to student groups and leaders at our National Conferences! These cash prizes can help further the outreach efforts and the effectiveness of these groups at their schools.

To award these prizes to deserving students and groups, we need you to nominate the groups and leaders you think deserve recognition – you can even nominate your own group! Listed below are the categories, prize amounts, and nomination forms for each award. Winning groups must be present at the SFLA West or East Coast National Conference to receive the award.

Applications are due no later than January 13, 2017. Email us (link to lstover@studentsforlife.org) your applications today!

 

College  Group  Awards

2017 College Group of the Year

$1,000 Prize

This award will recognize the all-around excellence of one college pro-life student group. The SFLA College Group of the Year will demonstrate success in areas of campus activism, recruitment, and community involvement.

Follow this link to apply: 2017 College Group of the Year Award Application

 

2017 New College Group of the Year

$500 Prize

This award will recognize an outstanding new pro-life college group that was formed between January 2016 and December 2016. The New College Group of the Year Award will be given to a group that has shown success in recruiting members and raising awareness about abortion on campus.

Follow this link to apply: 2017 New College Group of the Year Award Application

 

2017 Pregnant on Campus Group of the Year

Prize: $250 (in gift cards)

The Pregnant on Campus Group of the Year Award will recognize the achievements of two Students for Life college groups that have excelled in promoting pregnant and parenting resources. (One award will be given to an East Coast group; the other award will be given to an West Coast group.)

The SFLA Pregnant on Campus Groups of the Year should demonstrate success in pregnant and parenting advocacy and outreach on their college campus. This group should show significant efforts to change their campus to embrace practices and policies that protect and assist pregnant and parenting students.

Follow this link to apply: 2017 PonC Group of the Year Award

High School Group Awards

2017 High School Group of Year

$1,000 Prize

This award will recognize the all-around excellence of one high school pro-life student group. The SFLA High School Group of the Year will demonstrate success in activism, recruitment, and community involvement.

Follow this link to apply: 2017 High School Group of the Year Award Application

 

2017 New High School Group of the Year

$500 Prize

The New High School Group of the Year will be given to the student pro-life group who has best developed and organized an innovative way to share the pro-life message at their high schools or in their homeschool communities.

Follow this link to apply: 2017 New High School Group of the Year Award Application

Volunteer Opportunity!

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

Looking for a way to help out at the March for Life and the Students for Life National Conference in Washington, D.C. this January?  Then we have the opportunity for you!!!

We have 24 volunteer spots available.  We need volunteers to help SFLA pass out signs at the March for Life on Friday, January 27th and to help out the following day, Saturday, January 28th at our National Conference.

Duties include:

Friday, January 27th – March for Life

Working at a distribution site at the March for Life from 8am – 1pm when the March begins (or earlier if your signs get distributed early and there are no other distribution sites that need help).  We also need one person to be a social media runner from 10am – 3pm delivering SD cards from March for Life Route to Digital Media Strategist to get content online.  This person must be able to ride a bike.

Saturday, January 28th – SFLA National Conference

Various volunteer responsibilities from registration, crowd control, meal distribution, and clean up.  The day will begin at 7am and end by 8pm at the latest based on job assignments and the volunteer’s individual travel plans.

Volunteers will receive hotel accommodations with the SFLA team at the Metro Points Hotel for the nights of Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th and a free admission to the SFLA East Coast National Conference.

To apply fill out the form below and we will contact you for an interview.

Our time is now.

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

By Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America

Our time is now.

America has a pro-life majority government. Everything we have been fighting so hard to accomplish these past several years, despite an entrenched abortion lobby and corrupt politicians in Washington — all of this is now possible.

It’s now very easy to imagine a day when Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton will be overturned and when Planned Parenthood, our nation’s abortion Goliath, will be defunded of half a billion dollars in taxpayer money.

This is possible, now. trump1

If…

If we, the pro-life generation, hold President-Elect Trump to his promises.

If we hold the Congress and it’s leaders to their numerous pledges.

If we stand united, focused, and motivated.

There is no excuse.

As you know, our mission at Students for Life has never been dependent on what happens in Washington. This victory helps the pro-life movement immensely. This new pro-life majority has it within their reach to pass and enforce the pro-life laws we need until we reach the day our culture fundamentally rejects abortion. We will save more lives.

…but now the real work begins. We have to finish what we started.

We need to ensure that only pro-life Supreme Court justices are appointed, period. We need to fire Planned Parenthood and defund them of our taxpayer dollars, plain and simple.

We need to mobilize like never before and ensure our leaders in Washington will do what they have pledged.

And I’m going to ask you to do some hard things in the next few months and years.

I’m asking you today to trust our team at Students for Life and to believe in our mission to make abortion unthinkable and illegal in our lifetime. For this will be one of my greatest honors to lead you through this fight…the fight of our lives.

While our pro-life generation may be young, we’ve studied under our pro-life predecessors and heroes. We’re organized. We’re united. And we’re prepared. We can do this.

Please, stand with me. There’s so much we need to do.

This is our chance to appoint the justices we need to overturn Roe and Doe. This is our chance to defund and bankrupt the abortion Goliath, Planned Parenthood. This is our chance, the chance of a lifetime, to abolish abortion.

This is our time.

De-Stressing from the Election: Pro-Life Millennials Edition

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

Pink Fleet Emojis

Posted on by Kristan Hawkins

pinkfleetbanner

There are not many people who see our van and think, “whatever.” 

We usually spark some kind of reaction. Good, bad, weird, you name it. We’ve had it all. 

We’ve seen just about every emoji personified. 

 

We get support:  
1“I agree. Keep it up”

 

 

We get double takes:
2“Wait what!?”


It’s pretty strange to see a large pink van decked out with not so fun facts about Planned Parenthood. Especially when all you know is how ‘great’ Planned Parenthood is. Planned Parenthood spends MILLIONS on branding instead of serving women. Of course that is what you know! Question it!

 

We get confusion:  
3“Is that Planned Parenthood?? … no!?!?”


Sometimes it takes people a while to realize what’s going on. Yes, the van is pink, but Planned Parenthood doesn’t own the color pink. 

 

We get stares, lots of stares:

4

 

 

As we pull into a gas stations heads turn. Once a lady in the car next to us stared the whole time we were getting gas and snacks. Jaw partly dropped and wide eyes. 

Sometimes it’s easy to forget we are driving a large pink awesome van, but the constant stares are always a good reminder. 

 

We get shy opposition: 
 5

 

Before leaving the University of Pittsburgh a student walked by and began scratching his head. He glanced at us awkwardly a few times before scratching his head with his middle finger. Smooth… He didn’t have the courage to boldly wave the bird. Maybe because he was starting to question his beliefs. 

 

We get road rage: 

8

 

 

On the Pennsylvania Turnpike a driver waved a certain special finger at us. His car swerved into our lane. He doesn’t value the life of the pre-born or our safety! 

 

We get apathy: 

9

 

 

Some people just walk by. They think, “this isn’t my business” and just move on. The truth is abortion IS the largest human rights issue in the WORLD! Killing 3,000 children a day in the US alone is a BIG deal. Yes, it’s your business too. 

 

We even get hit on: 

10

 

 

“I like your slogan” three men shouted flirtatiously at a West Virginia McDonald’s drive-through as three beautiful pro-life women stepped out of the van. First off, McDonalds isn’t the best place to pick up men. Secondly, we are taken. #SorryBoys Thanks for the support though… I guess. 

 

We get money: 

11

 

 

“Do you all take donations?? Here is $20!” One woman yelled as she approached the van in a busy intersection in Cleveland, OH. 

 

But most importantly…

12

 

 

We get conversions:   “Oh, I didn’t know that!”

When you stand on the fence or are bashfully pro-life and you see determined young people proudly driving the Pink Fleet across the county it can be pretty convincing! Planned Parenthood betrays women. #prolifegen