Amid all the “let’s get along” talk as the Virginia General Assembly launched its 2016 session, one lawmaker wasted no time stirring the pot on a perennial hot-button social issue.
Del. Rick Morris’ remarks Thursday on the House of Delegates floor – delivered during a period when members are free to orate on whatever topic they choose – began as a historical salute to the abolitionists who worked to end slavery 150 years ago.
Then it quickly morphed into a passionate attack on abortion.
“Every era has its evil,” Morris, R-Isle of Wight County, told his colleagues. “Every era has its national sin. And the evil of our time is abortion. Our national sin is the murder of our unborn children.”
Abortion-rights advocates wasted no time pouncing on Morris’ words. Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, said in a statement: “Not only do his comments show a stunning lack of respect for the millions of Americans impacted by slavery, but this is yet another example of the sort of dangerous rhetoric that demonizes women, spurs hate, and incites violence.”
Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, in his State of the Commonwealth speech Wednesday evening, vowed to veto any legislation from the Republican-controlled Assembly that rolls back abortion rights.
This story first appeared on PilotOnline.com