Legislation for anti-abortion video causes division in the senate

JACKSON, Tenn. — Tennessee could become the latest state to require public school students to watch a video on fetal development produced by the anti-abortion group Live Action.

According to a statement released from the Associated press, the GOP dominated senate passed the legislation Thursday with five Democrats in attendance and one Republican voting to oppose.

Live Action, an anti-abortion organization, has approached states in a push to use the three-minute animation in classrooms.

The organization says it helps you see a fetus develop in the womb.

Representative Johnny Shaw of District 80, states his concerns on the issue.

“For these people to want to make children look at such a video to try to convince them about not having an abortion is the most despicable thing I ever heard of in my life,” said Shaw.

Shaw says it’s something that he wouldn’t want his own grandkids watching.

“That’s not going to make a child change his or her mind about having an abortion if they really want to have one or need to have one. By any means, by no means, am I supporting having abortions, but it is a decision that needs to be made between that woman and god and her doctors and not lawmakers,” said Shaw.

Some educators and physicians argue that the video is deceptive and problematic for a young audience.

However, in showing support for the bill, it’s sponsor, Senator Janice Bowling of the 16th District, argues that the video is accurate.

She say’s it’s an AI type of film, but is medically correct.

Representative Shaw says it’s important to have leaders in power who represent the people they serve.

“We gotta go to the polls, and vote to get people to represent who will represent people rather than try to judge and force people to do what they don’t want to do,” said Shaw.

Live Action says that this video was made in consultation with doctors.

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