Local reaction to March for Life rally in D.C.
Bishop Robert Barron from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is elated Friday, telling us: “It’s an exciting day I think because it’s a way of raising consciousness about this most important issue.”
His excitement revolves around the thousands of people who rallied in Washington D.C. for the Pro-Life movement.
“We stand for the right to life which is the most fundamental of the human rights,” Bishop Barron explains.
Across town at the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, they’re fearful over what this means for their organization.
“We’re strong proponents of bodily autonomy, so we are deeply concerned about the positions that the current administration has on curtailing reproductive rights,” says Karen Villegas, Community Education Coordinator for the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center.
The Rape Crisis Center supports a woman’s right to choose, especially after violence acts such as rape and sexual assault.
Bishop Barron feels differently.
“Well of course I certainly understand the tremendous pressure someone would feel.. I understand the issue from a psychological point of view — however — it doesn’t change the status of the child and the child should not become the victim of that admittedly terrible situation,” he says.
Now with many of the Pro-Life sentiments being echoed by Donald Trump’s administration, the Rape Crisis Center is nervous about the future of their funding.
“A significant portion of our funding comes from Violence Against Women grants and federal and state funding through the California Office of Emergency Services, so because of the proposed cuts and elimination of the Violence Against Women grant, we are concerned about where our future funding will come from,” Villegas explains.
