June 14, 2019

UPDATED: Bus registration still open for State House hearing on Monday

REGIONAL
By Kathleen Harrington

WESTFIELD – Two buses from western Massachusetts will head to Boston at 7 a.m. on Monday, June 17, to bring local pro-life advocates to a planned hearing at the State House in Boston, during which a joint committee will hear testimony on the proposed changes to Massachusetts abortion law included in S.1209/H.3320, known as “R.O.E.”

The bills were filed in the state Senate and House earlier this year.

“R.O.E. Act is deceiving,” explained Judy Cross, an attorney working with the Diocesan Pro-Life Commission. “It is an acronym that stands for ‘Remove Obstacles and Expand abortion access.’”

Speaking to a group gathered in the parish center of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield on Wednesday night, June 12, Cross explained there are five major changes proposed in the bill. Among them is a change to wording in the existing law that would remove parental, guardian, or judicial consent for girls under the age of 18.

“I have to give permission for the school nurse to give my child an aspirin. But a medical procedure could be done on my daughter without my knowledge,” Cross said.

Gov. Charlie Baker, a pro-choice Republican, is on the record as opposing the bill to expand abortion rights in Massachusetts. Speaking to the audience in Westfield, Rep. John Velis, a Democrat, said, “I am on record as opposing the bill.” He urged people to notify lawmakers of their opposition.

“Tell them that this bill goes too far,” Velis advised. “Don’t get into a face-to-face confrontation. That will only make the opposition dig in and not listen to the information.”

Velis urged people to have conversations and help to clarify the misinformation being spread by abortion groups.

After offering a prayer for life, Deacon Michael Forrest thanked people for attending the Wednesday night information session aimed at rallying opposition to the proposed R.O.E. act. “Join us on the bus,” said Deacon Forrest.  “Let your opposition be known.”

Bus reservations can be made by texting or calling 857-302-0466 with the passenger’s name and the desired location of departure, or online. 

Local residents also can RSVP for a bus by visiting the Friends of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish – Agawam, MA page and registering as “ATTENDING.” This will be open until the bus leaves Monday morning. Also, Anyone who wants to ride a bus can text one of the following keywords to the number 797979:

Peabody
Springfield
Danvers
Stoneham
StJohnBus

The keyword is the town/city where the bus will be leaving from. More instructions will be received after the text is sent.

The bus transportation is free. However, “We have a generous donor who has stepped forward to match any offering for transportation,” according to the Mass Citizens for Life website.