Editor’s Note: The following is a letter sent out this morning from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.
Friends of Life,
During these trying times, it is more important than ever that we fight to uphold the sanctity of all life. Here at the Louisiana Department of Justice, my staff and I are doing all we can to make sure that Louisiana remains a beacon of hope for mothers and their unborn babies. Despite the challenges and uncertainty facing all governments, we have been able to take positive steps in our protection of life. Below are some that I wanted to share with you:
COVID-19 Task Force. Last week, I announced the activation of our COVID-19 Task Force, which is assisting the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) with its enforcement of public health orders and regulations. Our Task Force has visited multiple facilities referred by LDH, including abortion clinics in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Our fact-finding investigations will be sent to LDH, which can take further action against those facilities that are not in compliance with the emergency orders or otherwise pose a threat to public health. We will continue to assist LDH by getting it the information it needs to enforce its regulations.
Louisiana Litigation. On Tuesday, we got word that the June Medical abortion clinic in Shreveport was launching a legal challenge to LDH’s emergency order. In the midst of a public health crisis, while the rest of Louisiana has come together to fight COVID-19, it is shocking that abortion clinics like June Medical are again arguing in court that the rules applying to other facilities do not apply to them. We stand ready to provide a legal defense of the actions LDH has taken to protect the public health of all Louisiana citizens.
Defending Life in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ohio. Our amazing attorneys, led by Solicitor General Liz Murrill, have been busy in the courts defending life. Over the past weeks, we have led multiple coalitions of state attorneys generals across the nation in “friend of the court” briefs defending the public health orders in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ohio, that prioritize life-saving healthcare needs over elective abortions. We continue to monitor these cases as they move through the courts, and will continue to lend our support to states who respect life.
Supporting Ethical COVID-19 Research. Louisiana also joined 18 other states in a letter to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, encouraging them to continue to ensure that the federal prohibitions on fetal tissue research stay in place. We cannot allow a national crisis to compromise the moral integrity of our nation.
As we continue to defend life through the unique challenges this public health crisis has brought upon us, I thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. As your Attorney General, I promise to do all I legally can to protect women and their unborn children.
