An article published by the spokesperson for the group of Arizona activists who successfully gathered signatures for an abortion referendum, Prop. 139, explained the group sued to remove the phrase “unborn human being” from the November ballot because they view it as unscientific and “tinged with anti-abortion sentiment.”
The Louisiana Illuminator reported on Sunday that Arizona for Abortion Access spokesperson Chris Love (pictured above) told the outlet on August 16 they sought to replace the phrase “unborn human being” with “fetus,” describing it as “the scientific, medically-accurate language.”
“We recognize that ‘unborn human being’ is something that is tinged with anti-abortion sentiment,” said the Arizona for Abortion Access spokesperson.
Love told the outlet, “We’ve seen that that phrase has been used by the opposition and folks who oppose abortion. The change that we asked for was not granted by the Legislative Council, so we decided to sue.”
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on August 14 that “unborn human being” will remain on the ballot, with the court ruling the phrase “substantially complies” with Arizona’s requirements for neutral language on referendums.
Arizona for Abortion Access reportedly said it was “deeply disappointed in this ruling,” and vowed to use all available means to spread public awareness and see the referendum pass.
Love told the Illuminator, “We understand, and everyone understands, that ‘unborn human being’ is literally an anti-abortion phrasing.”
She also told the outlet that Arizonans and abortion proponents should feel comfortable using the word “abortion,” which she noted is “a medically accurate, scientific term.”
Love told the outlet, “Abortion is a medical procedure. It’s not a dirty word. We don’t need to whisper it.”
The Illuminator is part of the States Newsroom nonprofit that operates Arizona Mirror, but the interview with Love about Arizona’s abortion referendum did not appear on the group’s Arizona-based website at press time.
While Arizona for Abortion Access lost its lawsuit over the language, it survived a legal challenge by Arizona Right to Life that sought to see the referendum removed from the ballot.
Arizonans will also vote on the Secure the Border Act when they head to the polls in November.
The referendum would strengthen E-Verify, prevent illegal immigrants from receiving welfare, and enable local law enforcement to arrest and deport illegal immigrants without involving the federal government, and was put to a public vote after Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed the legislation earlier this year.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Chris Love” by Chris Love, “Arizona Capitol” by Gage Skidmore CC2.0.
