Abortion providers and medical providers are pushing to pass Proposal 3 next month to keep the money coming in the door and to shield themselves from potential legal action down the road, according to Democrats who opposed the constitutional amendment on the Capitol lawn.

A handful of speakers led by the “Democrats for Life” argued that passing the Reproductive Freedom for All initiative will mean abortions with no limitation or oversight.

The message coming out of the event was Proposal 3 will eventually eliminate all statutory regulations over abortion. The courts will have no choice but to side with the broad constitutional language that allows for abortion, regardless of age, up until a subjective point of fetal viability.

“We’re putting the decision not in the hands of women, but in the hands of providers who stand to make a profit,” said Kristen Day, executive director of the national organization Democrats for Life. “So, as Democrats, we never advocate for profits over the health and safety of people.”

Once the courts get done with overturning current statutory limitations on abortion, girls at any age will be able to seek an abortion without parental consent, said Monica Galloway, a former Flint City Councilmember.

“This proposition is going to destroy families,” she said. “It will emancipate our children without us even knowing . . . Sometimes our children make bad decisions. The last thing you would ever want is for your daughter (to be) pushed by someone into doing something she doesn’t want without any parental support. Children need our help.”

The gathering brought together about a dozen Democrats against Proposal 3 along with other like-minded opponents to the proposal from the Michigan Catholic Conference and Right to Life.

Proposal 3 is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Michigan Nurses Association. Advocates at today’s rally said many doctors are supporting Proposal 3 for its broad language that shields health care professionals from any liability connected to a “botched abortion.”

Several medical professionals are arguing on TV commercials that Proposal 3 is necessary to give women a safe environment in which to have an abortion if they decide to have one.

Darci McConnell of Reproductive Freedom for All said in response to the event, “This is a nonpartisan issue that touches every walk of life and we know that Michiganders support restoring Roe in Michigan and avoiding the 1931 ban.”

Speaking to MIRS after the event, Jessica Leach of Mt. Pleasant said she’s been voting Republican most of her adult life, but is voting straight Democratic Party and in support of Proposal 3 this election because of the overturning of Roe.

An elective abortion is not anything she said she would consider for herself, but she said “who am I to say someone else may need the procedure? I haven’t walked in every woman’s shoes.” Women have abortions for various reasons and she believes a straight ban of abortion, as is written in the 1931 law, “is a threat against women’s health.”

The press event comes after The Detroit News and WDIV released polling from Sept. 26-29 showing Proposal 3 passing 62% to 24% with 14% undecided. Pollster Richard Czuba added that 45.3% are a “definite yes” on Proposal 3. And an EPIC-MRA survey from Sept. 7-13 showed the proposal passing 56% to 23% with 21% undecided.

To date, ad tracking from AdImpact has shown $36.3 million has been spent on both sides of the issue. The “no” side has spent $22.3 million while the “yes” has spent more than $13.3 million. The yes side has spent $10 million in Detroit alone.

The nation’s oldest pro-choice group, NARAL Pro-Choice America, announced the launch of the final push of its largest-ever midterm program, which is activating 4 million members “in defense of reproductive freedom.” The group is getting people out to make calls and knock doors in Michigan and five other states.

NARAL is working with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Emily’s List to spend $150 million across the country in support of “reproductive freedom champions up and down the ballot.”

This story courtesy of MIRS, a Lansing-based news and information service.