On Oct. 28, pro-life organization Protect Women and Children released two pro-life ads featuring prominent athletes, namely UNL volleyball star Rebekah Allick and UNL softball players Malia Thomas, Hannah Camenzind, Lauren Camenzind, Jordyn Bahl and Abbie Squier.
These athletes appeal to Nebraskans to vote in support of Initiative 434, a ballot initiative that seeks to restrict abortion to cases of medical emergencies, sexual assault or incest in the second and third trimesters.
The ads also warn voters against its counter Initiative 439, which would establish abortion as a "fundamental right" in the state until a fetus reaches viability outside the womb.
"Initiative 439 is dangerous," Allick, a Catholic, warned while wearing a shirt reading "God-Fidence: knowing I can't but He can."
"[Initiative 439] forces taxpayer funding of abortion, places women's care in the hands of non-physicians and puts Nebraska women at risk," she continued. "[Initiative] 434 defends women from abuse, trafficking and coercion. Nebraskans should vote for 434 and no on 439.
"With out-of-state activists lying about the radical Initiative 439, my teammates and I knew it was time to get off the bench and tell the truth about how 439 would harm Nebraska women and children," UNL softball pitcher Jordyn Bahl said in one video. "Nebraskans should vote for [434] and no on [439] to protect Nebraska women and children." (Related: Newly elected Canadian Liberal premier vows to expand abortion access in her province as soon she is sworn into office.)
The video concludes with the athletes' call to action: "Get in the game, vote for Initiative 434 and no on 439. For four, and no on nine."
Pro-life campaign ads gain mixed reactions online from supporters and critics alike
The campaign quickly gained mixed reactions on the internet, with supporters commending the athletes for their courage to speak out about a controversial issue and opponents sparking conversations about the involvement of athletes in such political and social causes.
Former All-American swimmer turned women's sports advocate Riley Gaines praised the athletes for standing up for women's sports.
"Six female athletes from the University of Nebraska appear in a pro-life, pro-child, pro-woman ad supporting Initiative 434 in Nebraska," she said. "This is so cool to see. For so long, the other side has used star athletes to promote their views. The tide is turning."
Others speculated about the motivations behind their participation, with some suggesting the athletes were compensated. But Bahl quickly dismissed these claims.
"Imagine people seeing a commercial done with six young women supporting a pro-life movement and immediately jumping to the conclusion that we were paid to take part," she wrote on her official account on X. "Nope! None of us received a penny! We just aren't afraid to take a stand and protect life!."
Learn more about abortion policies around the world at Abortions.news.
Watch this clip from MSNBC reporting on the criminalization of so-called "emergency abortions" in Idaho.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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