While the current state of abortion in our country is unquestionably heartbreaking and abhorrent, there are signs of hope and victories to celebrate.  In 2013, Operation Rescue reported a record number of abortion clinic closures.  87 surgical abortion clinics closed, leaving the total number of surgical abortion clinics left in the U.S. at the end of 2013 at 582.  That represents a drop of 73% from a high of 2,176 surgical abortion clinics in 1991!

There are various reasons for the closures:

• A decreased demand for abortion reflected in a declining abortion rate.
• Increased pro-life sentiment.
• A flood of new state laws that establish abortion standards, such as hospital admitting privileges
•  Increased enforcement of existing laws.
• Greater incidents of documenting and reporting of abortion abuses by pro-life activists.
• Retirement of aging abortionists, most of whom are not being replaced.

We are almost halfway through 2014 (that’s crazy!) and the momentum from last year has continued forward.  On March 7, it was reported that seven surgical abortion clinics and one abortion pill only clinic had closed.  More have closed or have been reported to likely close later in the year.  And just yesterday it was reported that three Planned Parenthood (the largest abortion provider in the U.S.) clinics are closing in Gresham, Oregon, Clackamas, Oregon, and Salmon Creek, Washington.  This news comes just two months
after the closing of the Planned Parenthood clinic in McMinnville, Oregon.  The Gresham and McMinnville centers performed abortions, while the other two offices were abortion referral centers.

Take time to pause and celebrate these exciting victories for babies, women and families across the nation!  May we be encouraged to press on and continue to work hard and do more to protect and love the unborn and women everywhere!