UPDATE 1/22/2017 8 a.m.: The Virginia House of Delegates approved the “Day of Tears” resolution with a 57 to 36 vote on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON —Abortion rights opponents want to pass a resolution in the Virginia General Assembly that would make Jan. 22 as a “day of tears.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling on Jan. 22, 1973 legalized abortion.
Anne Fitzgerald, who is with the organization Day of Tears, said the resolution was “in memory of those babies that are not with us.” She said there have been more than 58 million abortions since Roe v. Wade.
The resolution, HR 268, was introduced by Republican delegates Benjamin L. Cline of the 24th District and Richard P. Bell of the 20th District. The resolution would not only designate Jan. 22 as “Day of Tears” but also encourage Virginia residents to lower flags to half-staff.
“On the morning of Jan. 22, citizens wake up and they’re driving around and they’re seeing people’s flags lowered, they’re going to ask who died,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said the resolution is headed to a House rules committee on Monday. If it makes it out of committee, then it would be voted on by the House.
According to Fitzgerald, the Day of Tears organization was formed in 2015 in Virginia. The organization has reached out to other states across the country. Fitzgerald said she wants the effort to become a national movement and Jan. 22 a national day of mourning.
WTOP has reached out to Planned Parenthood for a statement on the resolution and is waiting for a comment.
