Beginning Sept. 17, the Coalition to Protect Kids — NY will host Zoom meetings each Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 29 to answer questions about a proposed amendment to New York state’s constitution that will be on the ballot Nov. 5.
The coalition is a nonpartisan ballot-issue committee dedicated to defeating Proposal One, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment. During the Zoom sessions, the coalition plans to answer such questions as “What is the Equal Rights Amendment, Proposal One?” “Why is it referred to as The Parent Replacement Act?” and “Who will the proposed bill Proposal One affect?”
In a Sept. 5 statement, New York’s Catholic bishops, including Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, voiced their opposition to Proposal One, calling it “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and urging Catholics to vote against it.
“The title suggests a noble cause, as all children of God should be treated equally under the law. However, this proposed amendment to the state Constitution is broadly written and could have dangerous consequences if enacted, which is why we oppose it and urge you to vote no,” the bishops wrote.
The broad, sweeping language used in the amendment includes age as a protected class, which could cause parents’ rights to be stripped away, according to the bishops.
And, if approved, the amendment would permanently legalize abortion without restriction up until the moment of birth in New York, the bishops wrote.
Those interested in attending one of the coalition’s Zoom meetings are asked to register in advance, as each meeting is limited to the first 100 people to register.
For more information and to register, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlfuyvqjsoHtagmoW_cd8CHs6Tp10Mflsa#/registration.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Coalition to Protect Kids — NY has resources about the proposal available on its website. The Diocese of Rochester’s Office of Life Issues also has made a number of resources about the proposal available on its website, www.LifeROC.org.
