Pro-life advocates warn of pending political storm

At right, from left, Natasha Mwiinga, Chloe Hey, Alexis Scott and Vanessa Gamero show their support for the sanctity of human life. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham)

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

Idaho is often considered one of the most pro-life states in the country. It’s Defense of Life Act and heartbeat laws protect the most vulnerable of society– preborn babies. However, preborn babies will not be protected at all if the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act (RFPA), currently a ballot initiative, is voted into law.

The RFPA was the focus of this year’s Boise March for Life. The march was presented by Right to Life of Idaho (RTLI) on Jan. 24. More than 2,500 marched from Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise, according to Emily Naugle, president of RTLI. The march ended at the Capitol steps for a rally with singing, prayer and speakers.

More than 2,500 walked from Julia David Park in downtown Boise to the State Capitol steps in the Boise March for Life, organized by Right to Life of Idaho. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham)

If the initiative passes, Idaho will no longer be the most pro-life state, said Matt Britton, keynote speaker at the rally. Britton, board ex-officio and general counsel for 40 Days for Life, is an attorney who has served in public office for four terms. He is an international speaker and commentator on pro-life issues.

Everywhere at all times, abortion is homicide, Britton said. However, currently in Idaho, abortion is truly murder, because “murder” is a legal term.

“You are facing an existential crisis with this constitutional amendment,” he continued. “Abortion will go from ‘being murdered’ to being a woman’s right.”

Matt Britton was the keynote speaker at the Boise March for Life rally. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham)

Abortion is construed as helping women. “An abortion minded woman believes the lies that abortion will make her life better. Ask any woman who’s had an abortion: If they’re uneducated, did they come out [of the abortion clinic] with a PhD? If they’re homeless, do they come out with a home? If they are poor, did they come out with money? If they’re being abused and beaten, do they get away from their abuser after they come out? Abortion solves no problems. It’s never solved a problem. And it sends a woman home alone, bleeding.”

Although protecting the unborn through good, life-affirming laws is important, ultimately what is needed is to change hearts to be pro-life.

“When no woman wants an abortion, It won’t matter how bad our laws are,” he said.

“Support Her, Protect Them” was this year’s pro-life theme. Pregnancy care centers are a main resource for supporting pregnant mothers in Idaho, Naugle said at the rally.

“Idaho has 25 pregnancy resource centers to help women in crisis pregnancies. They offer emotional as well as material support. They just love on these moms, walking with them step by step during this very vulnerable time.”

Although Idaho is protecting babies with its laws, with the RFPA ballot initiative “a storm is coming,” Naugle continued. “2026 is going to be a critical year for the pro-life movement in Idaho,” she said.

Naugle presented the RTLI 2026 Pro-life Warrior Award to Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center.

Emily Naugle, president of Right to Life of Idaho, speaks to the crowd from the Capitol steps. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham)

“Blaine has been relentless in his pursuit to protect and defend the unborn,” Naugle said. “He has an established, proven track record of achievements in the family policy movement, including successfully drafting and championing the Heartbeat Bill, the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, and the Children’s School and Library Protection Act. All this work takes strength, strategy, and a servant’s heart.”

Megan Wold, attorney and lobbyist, presented the legislative update for RTLI and addressed the misinformation from proponents of the RFPA ballot initiative at the rally.

“The Idaho Supreme Court has made it clear that a woman does not need to be in imminent risk of death for a doctor to act,” she said. “But unfortunately we hear misinformation about Idaho’s laws. They say that doctors can’t practice medicine here or that they must transfer women out of state in medical emergencies. And that is not true.”

Proponents of RFPA, she explained, are using misinformation to trigger empathy in voters and convince them to make abortion legal in Idaho.

“This misinformation is also politicizing the relationship between women and their doctors and interfering with women’s care,” she continued. “Women are the victims of this misinformation.”

Bishop Peter Christensen, Bishop of Boise, gave the convocation prayer and blessing. He affirmed Naugle’s feeling that a storm is coming with the ballot initiative.

“It’s going to be a tough one,” he said. “But the good news is that we’re going to get through it.”

Bishop Peter Christensen, Bishop of Boise, gave the convocation prayer and blessing at the rally. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham)

Bishop Peter told the story of Jesus calming the storm, from the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 8: the apostles and Jesus were sailing on Lake Galilee when a furious storm caused waves to break over their bow.

Jesus was asleep during the storm, while the apostles feared for their lives. When they wake up, he asks, “Where’s your faith?” And then he calmed the wind and the waves, and there was peace.

“The apostles marveled at this. Jesus was with them, and he is with us,” Bishop Peter said.

God also encourages us, he explained, as he encouraged the Old Testament prophet Daniel.

“The Lord speaks to him and says, ‘Daniel, fear not, beloved, you are safe. Take courage and be strong,’” Bishop Peter continued. “I want us to take that to our hearts. ‘Take courage’— I love that because I’d rather take the Lord’s courage than rely on my own. Take courage, and use it.”

He then quoted St. Francis de Sales, whose feast day was the day of the March for Life:

“We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intentions fervent, our courage steadfast and our trust fixed on God.”

Visit rtli.org for more information.