There is a dark underbelly to abortion that few know about or discuss.
Women and minors entering an abortion mill can face more than the trauma of ending their child’s life.
Far too often they are sexually molested and raped. Frequently their uteri are perforated and their bowels are pulled out. Young girls can be forced to get birth control shots.
Abortionists feel free to get away with such abuse because regulations are not enforced and violations go unreported.
Tragically, the situation has a disproportionate impact on women in the African-American community.
To raise awareness about the carnage of these horrifically unsafe abortion facilities, Catherine Davis, founding core member of the National Black Prolife Coalition, recently organized the “Selma Project” in historic Selma, Alabama.
The event was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth—the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. While highlighting the unscrupulous practices of abortionists in Alabama and nationwide, The Selma Project pointed out that abortion is the least regulated surgical industry in the country.
The rally and march, also attended by Star Parker of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, Charmaine Yoest, Americans United for Life, Dr. Alveda King, African American Outreach, Priests for Life and other pro-life advocates, raised awareness of failed efforts to close a notorious Selma abortion mill operated by Dr. Samuel C. Lett.
Like many abortion centers, Lett’s facility is in the heart of the black community. Most of those visiting his center are black. Most of those being injured in his unregulated facility are black.
“This unlicensed and unsafe facility is a clear example of the pro-abortion deception spread by such slogans as abortion is “safe, legal and rare”. The gatekeepers- Alabama’s Governor and regulatory agencies- ignore the violations of the state’s civil and criminal laws,” Davis said.
She added: “I can’t imagine why any state wouldn’t enforce regulations designed to protect women’s health. I can’t imagine why they allow these death factories to prey virtually unchecked on black and Latino women. Many of these facilities are less regulated than a veterinary clinic.”
Davis said Dr. Lett does not have a license to perform abortions as required by Alabama law. In addition, Davis noted that Lett’s hospital privileges have been revoked, which means he can’t accompany an injured patient to the hospital right next door to his facility.
“The fundamental problem is that our designated gatekeepers are asleep at the switch. We can pass all the laws in the world, but it’s pointless if they’re not enforced,” Davis said.
Davis said the march was intended to raise women’s awareness of the problem, as well as to pressure government officials and agencies to do their job.
“Our ultimate goal is to end abortion,” Davis said. “But until that happens, we at least need to ensure that women are not being subjected to substandard conditions which further endanger their health and lives.”
The issue of unsafe abortion facilities is also rampant in Georgia.
Only five of the 19 facilities in Georgia are licensed to perform abortions. Fourteen are considered doctors’ offices and have little to no regulatory oversight. In those that are licensed, existing regulations are not completely enforced, even when violations are found.
In 2013, GRTL focused attention on these deplorable conditions with the release of a well-documented study at a news conference at the state capitol.
Some of the clinic conditions highlighted by GRTL included reports of:
- At least one death.
- The suicide of a patient who took her life after learning of abortion alternatives.
- Patients being forced into tiny second-floor operating rooms where they could not be properly moved to a recovery table.
- Patients getting infections caused by unsanitary conditions.
- Unlicensed staff providing anesthesia to patients
- An inability to safely evacuate patients after an injury due to no elevator and failure to alert EMTs of that fact
GRTL and others called on Governor Nathan Deal and state regulators to investigate and take action. To date, these conditions have not been resolved.
“We need to keep the pressure on,” Davis said. “Georgia pro-life supporters need to contact the governor and legislators and demand they stand up for women’s safety and hold these centers accountable.”
Sources: priestsforlife.org; theselmaproject.com; theamericanmirror.com.
By Wayne DuBois
Media Relations Advisor