Among those assembled early Tuesday, July 26, for a trip to Indianapolis organized by Right To Life of North Central Indiana were Jeff Gallagher (far left) and David Koontz (third from left). InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Jeff Gallagher never thought he’d see the day and now he’ll get an up-close glimpse as Indiana lawmakers embark on banning almost all abortions.

Gallagher was one of 13 Warsaw-area people affiliated with Right To Life of North Central Indiana who boarded a bus at sunrise Tuesday, July 26, and headed to the state capitol to urge lawmakers to take action.

The bus was expected to pick up more supporters in Peru before heading to Indianapolis to gather in the Statehouse with other members of Indiana Right To Life.

Indiana is the latest state moving quickly to ban abortions after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 24. Republican lawmakers, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, are expected to pass legislation within a week or so that will ban most abortions.

The right-to-life issue is personal for Gallagher who was born in a home for unwed mothers and then adopted three months later.

“I’m thankful that in 1948, Planned Parenthood was not in business because my birth mother would have had the option of abortion,” Gallagher said.

“I’m thankful to be here today, and I believe the Lord is protecting me throughout my whole life by allowing a good family to adopt me,” he said.

Both Gallagher and David Koontz, executive director of Right To Life of North Central Indiana, said they never thought they would live to see Roe overturned.

“This is huge,” Koontz said, shortly before boarding a bus in the parking lot of Warsaw Community Church.

And while the Supreme Court ruling is monumental, supporters are dissatisfied with a proposal in the State Senate, SB 1.

National Right to Life and Indiana Right to Life oppose SB 1 for several reasons, according to a news release issued Tuesday morning.

“SB 1 is really weak. We have a lot of concerns,” Koontz said.

He said they are seeking “really strong” legislation that protects babies and helps pregnant mothers.

Specifically, he said the only exception they agree with is for the life of the mother.

According to National Right To Life, the proposed bill removes all criminal penalties from, and “provides complete immunity” for, illegal abortions consented to by pregnant women.

The bill, according to Right To Life, explicitly recognizes, legalizes, and facilitates chemical abortion clinics throughout Indiana by authorizing abortion-inducing drugs to flood the state.

Protesters on both sides of the issue began protesting Monday, July 25, at the Statehouse. Vice President Kamala Harris met with abortion rights supporters on Monday.