MULBERRY, Fla. – Leading up to the November election, Citizens Defending Freedom (CDF), a nonprofit with Florida roots, is teaming up with doctors and healthcare professionals to educate Floridians on Constitutional Amendment 4.
The measure, which will appear on every Floridian’s ballot on Nov. 5, Election Day, grants unfettered access to abortion in the state.
CDF is working with Do No Harm Florida (DNHF), a group led by Dr. John Littell along with others, says the amendment is so broadly defined that it could lead to abortions all the way up to and even during birth.
The text of the amendment says the following:
“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”
CDF, which has already distributed more than 10,000 educational flyers on this issue produced by DNHF, specifically points to vague phrases like “the patient’s health,” which could be interpreted as emotional health or even financial difficulties as reasons to abort a child.
Other phrases like “healthcare provider” could mean anything from a dental hygienist to a pharmacy technician.
The section of the amendment that claims it doesn’t change the Florida Legislature’s constitutional authority to mandate “notification” of a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion is also deceptive. Parental “notification,” says CDF, is a much lower standard compared to the current law that requires parental “consent”.
“This amendment would be the most extreme abortion law ever enacted,” said Sarah Calamunci, CDF’s Chief of Staff and Florida Director. “Most constitutional amendments specifically define the terms used in the amendment. Amendment 4 does not, so we are dedicated to helping Floridians understand the true implications of this measure.”
Calamunci says Amendment 4 doesn’t satisfy either side of the aisle on the issue of abortion and is simply too extreme.
“Most who support abortion want them to be safe and rare. This amendment will allow abortions to be underregulated and under restricted, including abortions for minors without parental consent,” she said. “Your child cannot get a band aid or Tylenol from the school nurse without your consent. This amendment will allow your child to get an abortion without your consent or even knowledge in advanced.”
“The vast majority of Floridians do not want abortions up until birth,” Calamunci said. “However, that will be the result if Amendment 4 passes. The citizens of this state deserve to know exactly what they’re voting for, and Amendment 4 is written without important defined specifications. That is why our educational efforts are so important.”
Founded in 2021, Citizens Defending Freedom is a non-profit organization that strategically employs county-level chapters across America to help citizens defend their faith and freedom, all while fighting for transparency in local government. Currently, Citizens Defending Freedom has official counties in Florida, Georgia and Texas. The group is rapidly expanding its footprint, and expects to grow into one of America’s largest political nonprofits. Click here to learn more about Citizens Defending Freedom.