Florida Independent

Bishops submit proclamation for national ‘religious freedom’ campaign

By Ashley Lopez | 04.12.12 | 10:52 am

Catholic Bishops, one of the biggest opponents of the federal government’s decision to require health insurance companies to cover birth control as a preventive service, released a proclamation this week “calling for every priest, parish and layperson to participate in ‘great national campaign’ to defend religious liberty, which they said is ‘under attack, both at home and abroad,’” The New York Times reports.

Anti-abortion group launches ‘Yes on 6′ campaign

By Ashley Lopez | 04.11.12 | 1:03 pm

A new anti-abortion group called Citizens for Protecting Taxpayers and Parental Rights has launched a campaign called “Yes on 6,” urging Floridians to vote for Amendment 6 this November.

Mississippi cracks down on abortion providers

By Ashley Lopez | 04.05.12 | 12:41 pm

Mississippi’s state Legislature this week passed a bill that would place prohibitive restrictions on abortion providers in the state, in an effort to curb access to legal abortions. The Florida Legislature attempted to pass a similar bill this year that would crack down on providers, but the measure was blocked by a group of state senators before it could make it to the floor.

Social issues low on list of Florida voters’ priorities

By Ashley Lopez | 03.28.12 | 2:00 pm

A new poll released by Quinnipiac University today shows that social issues are low on the list of priorities for Florida voters for the upcoming presidential election, even though issues like reproductive rights have been a big focus in campaigns.

Oklahoma committee advances ‘personhood’ bill

By Virginia Chamlee | 03.28.12 | 12:15 pm

State lawmakers in Oklahoma yesterday took up a piece of legislation that would grant “personhood” status to human embryos. The measure, which was passed by the state Senate, advanced through the House Public Health Committee, despite warnings that it could endanger the lives of women.

Personhood Florida leader defends movement in op-ed

By Virginia Chamlee | 03.26.12 | 4:24 pm

The leader of Personhood Florida, the group that wants the Sunshine State to outlaw abortion by defining life as beginning at the moment of conception, recently penned an op-ed targeting Planned Parenthood — claiming the group “fears the thought of what will happen if women learn the truth about the development of the baby inside of them and the results of abortion.” A Planned Parenthood rep disputes those claims, arguing that personhood proponents are the ones endangering women.

Bishops lose fight over loss of federal funding

By Ashley Lopez | 03.26.12 | 3:28 pm

This past Friday, a judge ruled in favor of the Obama administration in a legal challenge filed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops over the religious group’s loss of federal funding.

Progressives launch anti-Marco Rubio website

By Ashley Lopez | 03.21.12 | 2:59 pm

Progressive groups in Florida have launched a website that aims to shine “a spotlight on [U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's, R-Fla.] extremist positions, numerous ethical lapses, and the ‘wrong way’ he’s trying to lead our nation.”

Report: Number of states hostile to abortion rights growing

By Ashley Lopez | 03.15.12 | 2:08 pm

A new report from the Guttmacher Institute shows that, in the past decade, a substantial number of states (including Florida) have shifted from having only a moderate number of abortion restrictions to becoming “overtly hostile” to abortion rights.

Santorum furthers commitment to ‘fetal personhood’ cause

By Virginia Chamlee | 03.15.12 | 11:31 am

Presidential candidate Rick Santorum has furthered his commitment to the pro-life cause, signing a draft version of the Oklahoma Personhood Amendment petition. The ‘fetal personhood’ movement has swept the country in recent months and aims to outlaw abortion by defining life from the moment of conception.