Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Declares January 22 ‘Day of Tears’ in Arkansas

Last week Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a proclamation designating January 22, 2025, as the “Day of Tears.”

In 2021 the Arkansas General Assembly passed H.C.R. 1007 recognizing January 22 — the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous Roe v. Wade abortion decision — as The Day of Tears in Arkansas and encouraging Arkansans to lower their flags to half-staff every year on January 22.

Even though Roe v. Wade has been overturned and abortion is prohibited in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother, it is good to set aside time to reflect on how abortion took the lives of women and unborn children for so many decades — and how many lives it still takes in America today.

Gov. Sanders’ proclamation says:

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:

WHEREAS: Arkansas and its government acknowledge that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

WHEREAS: On January 22,1973, the majority of the members of the United States Supreme Court wrongly ruled in its Roe v. Wade decision that abortion was a right secured by the United States Constitution;

WHEREAS: Before the United States Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, Arkansas had already enacted laws protecting women and unborn children from abortion; 

WHEREAS: From January 22, 1973, to June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade prevented Arkansas from protecting women and unborn children from abortion;

WHEREAS: In Act 310 of 2023 the 94th General Assembly estimated that during that time at least two hundred thirty-six thousand, two hundred forty-three (236,243) elective abortions occurred in this State, jeopardizing the health and safety of pregnant women and depriving these unborn children of their respective rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS: The Ninety-Third General Assembly resolved in H.C.R. 1007 of 2021 that January 22 should be recognized in perpetuity as the “Day of Tears” in Arkansas and encouraged Arkansans to lower their flags to half-staff “to mourn the innocent unborn children who have lost their lives to abortion.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2025, as 

“THE DAY OF TEARS IN ARKANSAS”

You can download a copy of the proclamation here.

Family Council is deeply grateful to Gov. Sanders and the general assembly for recognizing January 22 as the Day of Tears in Arkansas, and we urge all of our friends to take time this month to remember the lives lost to abortion.

Planned Parenthood Looking for a Lobbyist in Arkansas

As the Arkansas Legislature gets underway, Planned Parenthood reportedly is looking for a lobbyist in the Natural State.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortionist. The organization has two facilities in Arkansas — one in Little Rock and one in Rogers — but state law generally prohibits them from performing abortions except to save the life of the mother.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains is the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate for Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The organization recently posted a job listing for an “Arkansas Contract Lobbyist,” saying,

The Arkansas Contract Lobbyist will be responsible for direct and grassroots lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) and Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes (PPGPV). This position will be responsible for helping develop and implement plans and goals to advance PPGP/PPGPV’s legislative priorities, under the direction of the Director of Legislative Affairs. In addition, this position will be responsible for helping PPGP/PPGPV staff engage with key stakeholders, including existing and new coalition partners, constituents, supporters, and policymakers. This position will work closely and cross- departmentally with PPGP’s Public Affairs and Communications staff. A collaborative style, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm are essential.

Individuals and lobbying firms are encouraged to apply. This position is expected to require 5-10 hours per week during legislative session, with potential additional work on an as-needed basis. 

Historically, Planned Parenthood has been active on legislation in Arkansas.

Planned Parenthood has consistently opposed good, pro-life laws at the capitol. Last year, the group criticized state lawmakers for providing $2 million to pro-life charities that help women with unplanned pregnancies. With that in mind it isn’t surprising that Planned Parenthood is looking for a lobbyist in Little Rock.

The good news is that Arkansas is a deeply pro-life state, and its elected leaders generally do not support Planned Parenthood’s pro-abortion agenda. With that in mind, we believe pro-lifers will continue to stand for the right to life at the state capitol — and all across Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Annual March for Life Happening January 19 in Little Rock

The 2025 March for Life will take place in Little Rock on Sunday, January 19.

Arkansas Right to Life writes,

The 47th Annual March for Life will held at 2 p.m., Jan. 19, 2025, along Capital Avenue to the front of the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol. 

Sunday, January 19, 2025
2 p.m. in Little Rock

This is a FREE event! No ticket is required.

ROUTE – Marching along Capitol Avenue to the front of the Capitol steps for our program (about seven blocks).

STAGING AREA – State Street

For more information or to volunteer call 501-663-4237 or email artl@artl.org

This observance is a peaceful and prayerful event that attracts thousands of Arkansans from across the state including churches and families to remember the estimated 60-plus million unborn children killed by legal abortion.

This event, sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life (ARTL), will remember the 52th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973.

Staging begins at 1:30 p.m. at State Street. At 2 p.m. marchers – along with elected officials, invited dignitaries, and other special guests – will march to the steps of the State Capitol for a brief program.

Arkansas Right to Life, the state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, is an affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, the leading voice of the voiceless dedicated to protecting all human beings threatened by abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia.

This is a great opportunity for pro-lifers to gather and take a stand for the sanctity of human life in Arkansas.