Abortion in Arkansas Hits 43-Year Low

Abortion, , ,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 1, 2020

Little Rock, Ark. — On Monday the Arkansas Department of Health released its annual reports on the number of abortions performed in the state.

The reports show that 2,963 abortions occurred in Arkansas in 2019.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement saying, “Arkansas’ abortion numbers haven’t been this low since 1977. The fact that Arkansas’ abortion numbers continue to fall year after year is really good news.”

Cox said the number of abortions performed in Arkansas have been cut by more than half since the 1990s. “In 1991 there were nearly 7,000 abortions in Arkansas. Teen abortion fell to record lows last year. Across the board, abortion is on the decline in Arkansas.”

Cox said the reports show Arkansas’ informed-consent laws have helped women choose options besides abortion. “Arkansas has excellent laws that require abortionists to give women all the facts about abortion up front, including abortion’s risks, consequences, and alternatives. They also have to give women time to consider all options before making a final decision. We estimate from these reports that more than 500 women chose not to have abortions last year after receiving this information.”

Cox said his group will continue working to end abortion in Arkansas. “Arkansans are overwhelmingly pro-life. Public opinion polling shows most Arkansans believe abortion ought to be either completely illegal or legal only under certain circumstances. In the past five years the Arkansas Legislature has enacted more than two dozen good, pro-life laws. These reports from the Department of Health simply go to show that all of that pro-life work is paying off.”

###

READ MORE

Please Pray for Peace and Healing

Current Events
Above: The Democratic headquarters in Little Rock damaged during protests.

In the past week, our country has been rocked by a series of protests and riots in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Over the weekend, protests took place throughout Arkansas — including downtown Little Rock.

In some cases, things turned violent and destructive.

It’s difficult to know what to say during times like these, but in a series of statements made online last week, Rev. Franklin Graham offers these words, writing,

What took place Monday on a Minneapolis street, by the Minneapolis Police Department should deeply concern each and every American. It’s inexcusable. . . . Police are not the judge and jury. These officers will have to stand before God and the authorities on this earth for what they have done. . . .

However, burning, destroying, and looting communities isn’t the answer. This just heaps more pain and hurt on lives and livelihoods. . . .

George’s loved ones and friends have said he was a gentle giant and that he would’ve been devastated to see the rioting.

I ask Christians across the country to pray—for calm, for peace, and for an end to the violence. This honors no one and may cost many more lives. I ask every church to contact your members and ask them to pray. Our nation is in trouble. The only One who can heal the racial divide is Jesus Christ who has the power to transform the human heart.

You can read Franklin Graham’s full statements here, here, and here.

During these unprecedented times, I hope you and your church will join us in praying for peace and healing in our state and across our country.

READ MORE