This Halloween, kids in northwest Albuquerque received some unexpected materials in their trick-or-treat bags. In addition to candy bars and lollipops, they also got several anti-choice cards with images of fetuses on them — one proclaiming “I am not a clump of cells,” another saying “I am a human being,” and one emblazoned with “53 million killed.”
“We just noticed these cards attached to certain candies and started pulling them off, and we were pretty shocked to see that kind of stuff targeted at kids,” one parent, Frank Valdez, told local news affiliate KRQE News 13. “They’re forcing an agenda on little kids, pretty much.”
To some adults in the community, the timing of the cards seemed suspicious. Anti-choice groups in Albuquerque are currently pushing for a citywide ban on abortion procedures after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The measure is on the ballot for a special election that will take place on November 19, and early voting has already begun. If it’s approved, Albuquerque may become the first city in the U.S. with its own local ban on abortion.
Local news outlet KOB 4 confirmed that the official group lobbying for the 20-week ban, Protect ABQ Women and Children, wasn’t responsible for the cards passed out to trick-or-treaters. But Elisa Martinez, who heads the group, didn’t criticize the effort.
“Everything that we’re putting out is focused on this ordinance and passing the ordinance,” Martinez told KOB. “Whatever anyone else feels empowered to do, we’re not going to stop them.”
November 4, 2013 5:44 AM
