Every year, Texas Right to Life, a Texas-based pro-life organization, hosts the Boots on the Ground conference. This conference brings all ages together to discuss the latest in the pro-life movement in Texas. The conference gave the writer and the others in attendance encouragement for the often-daunting fight for life. For example, Kristen Hawkins, the president of Students for Life of America, gave testimony that support for abortion is decreasing. She said that some 70% of Americans support at least some restrictions on abortion. Hawkins told the story of the organization’s motto: “We are the Pro-Life Generation.” She said that when she and her coworkers decided on the phrase in 2006, they were not sure it was true. However, now she is confident that this generation is more pro-life than the media would have people believe.
Nonetheless, Hawkins was realistic about the rising opposition in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. With Democrat-controlled executive and legislative branches, she predicted that these next few years will be hard. There will be increased censorship of conservative and pro-life. More and more people will be accused of “hate speech.” Religious and civil liberties will be infringed upon. Despite all of this, Hawkins remains optimistic. She said that truth is on the side of the pro-life cause. Therefore, there’s nothing to fear.
Another speaker, Toni McFadden, navigated the topics of individual responsibility and victimhood brilliantly. McFadden, a Black woman, shared the heartbreaking experience of her own abortion. She rightfully acknowledged that she was a victim of her circumstances. However, as she told her story, she explained that it was only by taking responsibility for her actions that she experienced healing and grace.
At the close of the conference, Raiders Defending Life, a pro-life group at Texas Tech, received an award for political action during the Sanctuary City for the Unborn movement in Lubbock. Raiders Defending Life and Young Conservatives of Texas at Texas Tech have put in many hours to protect babies in the Lubbock Areas.
Many more speakers, including the Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh, gave excellent presentations and testimonies. While the pro-life is battle rages on, Boots on the Ground was a rejuvenating and encouraging event for those who strive to protect life from conception until death.
we are behind you and fight with you brother. you are not alone and though the battle is daunting, the giant can fall. I’m so proud of you.
This is a battle worth fighting. Thank you for being those boots on the ground!