Kristen Day (Left)
Editor’s note: the following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
CV NEWS FEED // Democrats for Life of America is countering Planned Parenthood’s offer of free abortions near the Democratic National Convention (DNC) this week by sponsoring a diaper drive to help local mothers in need.
Democrats for Life Executive Director Kristen Day said in a phone interview with CatholicVote that “the response has been so overwhelming, we’re so excited.” Democrats for Life’s initial goal was to raise $1,000, but they had raised $3,500 by Aug. 20. Their new goal is $5,000.
Upon learning that Planned Parenthood would have a mobile “clinic” van offering abortions near the DNC, Day explained, “we just thought it was so disrespectful and dehumanizing, that we decided we were going to do a diaper drive to do something to actually help, because real Democrats help those in need, they don’t kill babies, like the Planned Parenthood was doing here this week.”
Several pregnancy centers in the Chicago area are providing Democrats for Life lists of supplies they need, and the organization will deliver them, Day said.
She also praised the amount of material resources, time, and service that the pro-life movement has given to support pregnant women. Such efforts are frequently “overlooked,” according to Day.
She noted that “with the fall of Dobbs,” she has also witnessed the pro-life movement supporting “legislation that will help women carry their babies to term.”
She also said she has been partnering with pro-life groups to support efforts related to child tax credit and paid leave, as a “holistic approach” to helping mothers and children.
Still, the pro-life movement is “outspent 10 to 1” when it comes to abortion-related ballot initiatives, Day said. When she has been asked about the pro-life side losing in abortion-related ballot initiatives, she said she responds by highlighting where the pro-life movement’s resources are primarily directed: towards pregnancy resource centers, donations, and helping expectant mothers and those in local communities.
At the DNC, Democrats for Life members have been speaking with delegates and convention attendees, and have received “mixed” responses, according to Day.
Some people have said, there’s no room for pro-life Democrats and that they would not support a pro-life Democratic candidate, Day explained. However, she recounted speaking with one man who said the Democratic Party should be “inclusive.” They ended up exchanging information so that he could visit a pregnancy center with Day next month.
Day also said Democrats for Life members have been working to tell delegates and other convention attendees that pro-life Democrats are being pushed out of their party and are therefore joining the Republican Party, causing a spike in “Republican supermajorities” across the country.
Day also noted that she has repeatedly heard a talking point about “freedom,” which she has found humorous.
“It seems like when you talk about freedom from government interference, that seems like more of a Libertarian or Republican talking point, rather than a Democrat who loves government,” Day said.
The organization will continue the conversations throughout the week.
