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“March for Life” rally outside MN State Capitol draws hundreds
Abortion rights in Minnesota are already protected under a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling.
ST PAUL, Minn. — A moment of prayer began the day on Sunday as hundreds of anti-abortion advocates marched around the Minnesota State Capitol, coming together on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
“It’s important to be here to show that there is an alternative to an abortion,” said Alisan Engle, who attended the march.
Roe v. Wade established a national right to abortion that the Supreme Court rolled back in June.
“Just seven months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court redeemed itself, overturning that heinous decision,” said Cathy Blaeser, with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.
“The landscape for abortion rights and access in the US has really become an extreme patchwork and the upper Midwest is a really good example of that,” said Megan Peterson, with Gender Justice.
Abortion rights in Minnesota are already protected under a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling that declared the procedure is safeguarded under the state constitution.
Peterson said following the court’s decision, access to care has never been more vital.
“We are fortunate here in Minnesota that our laws actually do align with Minnesotan’s values and their beliefs,” she said.
Senator Amy Klobuchar also issued a statement online, saying:
“Fifty years ago, Roe v. Wade was decided. Women had the right to make their own healthcare decisions. And now they don’t. My daughter now has less rights than her mom or grandma did. I’m not giving up.”
But as Democratic state leaders work to codify abortion rights into state law, both sides say their work is far from over.
“I think abortion hurts women, it takes advantage of women and I think we should put our resources into life,” said Engle.
“We are now in this new environment looking to make sure all our laws and state statutes match that Supreme Court decision and match Minnesotans’ beliefs and values on abortion and remove old abortion restrictions off the books, once and for all,” said Peterson.
Last week, the Minnesota House passed a fast-track bill to codify abortion rights into state statutes by a vote of 69-65.
The bill, titled “Protect Reproductive Options Act,” will now head to the state Senate.
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Kare11
Local volunteers for both campaigns make final push
With the election seemingly razor-thin, volunteers will continue working until the final ballot is cast.
MINNEAPOLIS — With only a few days left until Election Day, volunteers from both campaigns are doing what they can during the final push.
On Saturday, Kamala Harris supporters canvassed in north Minneapolis. They knocked on doors encouraging those who hadn’t voted yet, to do so.
In Lakeville, Trump supporters gathered with Congressional District 2 candidates, as they geared up to reach those final voters.
“Donald Trump lost by a small margin here in Minnesota and we want that to be different this year, this time around,” said Crystal Mcdonnell. Mcdonnell canvases not only to try and sway voters to Trump but also to help them fulfill their civic duty.
“(We) offer assistance in registering to vote, give rides to fellow patriots who may not have the means to get out and vote,” Mcdonnell said.
In north Minneapolis, first-time canvasser Samirya Strong was doing her part to help her candidate win.
“We need to activate everyone who is able to vote, to vote up and down for freedom and justice and equality for all,” Strong said.
With the election seemingly razor thin, this type of leg work from both campaigns will continue until the final ballot is cast Tuesday night.
Kare11
Young children pulled from burning townhome Saturday
Four people, three children and an adult, were taken to the hospital Saturday night after a townhome fire on County Road D East.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — A witness said multiple children were pulled from a burning townhome in Vadnais Heights early Saturday evening.
Chief Chris Hearden with Vandnais Heights Fire said in a press release that four local fire departments were called to a fire in a townhome complex at around 5:40 on Saturday evening.
When crews arrived in the 1000 block of County Road D East, they saw fire and heavy smoke pouring from a townhome.
A neighbor told KARE 11’s Ian Russell that he ran to help, but the flames were too hot for him to go inside. He said he heard the kids screaming and then saw them pulled from the home.
“Tried my best to run in there… the fire, the smoke… don’t know the blueprint, don’t know the surroundings, couldn’t see nothing so I got out of there,” said Venjoseph Brown, obviously shaken. “I was no use… and there was still kids in there. If it was that bad on the outside, I could wonder what they was goin’ through.”
Officials confirmed two young children were pulled from the burning building by emergency crews. Two other victims, an adult and another child, were able to escape on their own. All four were taken to Regions Hospital and Hearden said their conditions are unknown at this time.
Engines from Vadnais Heights, Little Canada, Maplewood and White Bear Lake worked to knock down the fire, which appeared to be out as of 7:15 p.m. Crews on scene noted that damage to the first floor of the townhome was extensive.
The Vadnais Heights Fire Department, Ramsey County Fire Investigation Team and the State Fire Marshall’s Office are all investigating the cause of this fire.
Kare11
Neighbor says children were pulled from burning townhome
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — A witness said multiple children were pulled from a burning townhome in Vadnais Heights early Saturday evening.
Fire crews from a number of east metro departments were dispatched to the home at 1087 County Road D East around 5:45 p.m. A neighbor told KARE 11’s Ian Russell that he ran to help, but the flames were too hot for him to go inside. He said children were pulled from the home. At this time it is unclear how many victims or what their conditions are.
Engines worked to knock down the fire, which appeared to be out or at least under control as of 7:15 p.m.
This is a developing story. KARE 11 will update as details become available.
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