Black Leaders Petition Alabama Circuit Court to Protect Unborn Black Lives
On Oct. 16, Black-led human rights leaders on behalf of the Equality Proclamation filed the Equality Petition in the Alabama Circuit Court to take immediate action in ending discrimination against Black lives in the womb.
The Equality Petition is filed on behalf of Baby Q, an African American child currently in utero residing in Alabama who is a representative of the class of pre-born Black babies similarly situated and often injured by abortion. Baby Q’s next of friend and relator, Amie Beth Shaver, filed the petition as one who was born to an African American father and white mother and placed for adoption in 1972. She credits her life to the lack of on-demand abortion, legalized one year later through Roe V. Wade, which her birth parents could have easily utilized had it been available.
On the 158th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, high-profile Black leaders gathered in 2020 to sign the Equality Proclamation,’ calling an end to the discrimination against Black children across America.
“The biggest standing threat against Black lives is the abortion industry,” said Attorney Catherine Davis, public speaker, civil rights champion and founder and president of The Restoration Project. “Black babies are three times more likely to be aborted than white babies, and we have lost more than 20 million Black children to abortion since 1973 alone. We are petitioning the Alabama courts to exercise their Tenth Amendment rights and take all measures necessary to protect pre-born African American children in their state from discrimination and to ensure their equal protection under the law.”
Alabama passed The Brody Act in 2006, which defines a person as “a human being, including an unborn child in utero at any stage of development, regardless of viability.” Additionally, the state amended its Constitution in 2018 to specifically protect unborn children. As a result, the state now has a meaningful opportunity to uphold its unique stance on the definition of human life and lead the charge in protecting Black babies and their mothers, against which organizations, including Planned Parenthood, directly discriminate.
“As the presidential election nears and the confirmation for Judge Amy Coney Barrett to The U.S. Supreme Court remains pending, bringing this problem to the forefront of public discourse while racial tension remains central to political action is absolutely crucial,” said Dr. Alveda King, civil rights activist and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Sept. 22 marked 158 years since President Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation, and yet, Black babies are killed every day at higher rates than any other race,” added Amie Beth Shaver, former Miss Alabama, political activist and relator and next of friend, acting on behalf of Baby Q to the courts. “We outlaw the drawing and quartering of criminals but allow for the dismemberment of the most vulnerable population, whose body parts are still being sold. Until the justice cry for Black babies is heard, we will continue to approach the Alabama Circuit Court to protect its people and follow its laws.”
To learn more about Equality Proclamation and the Equality Petition, visit equalityproclamation.com/.
