top of page

Search this site

Results found for empty search

  • Resources | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    MCCL provides a wealth of pro-life educational materials—from news releases and brochures to fetal models and billboards. RESOURCES Education is crucial to the protection of human life. MCCL provides a wealth of educational materials—from news releases and brochures to fetal models and billboards. News releases : See MCCL's take on the latest news and issues. MCCL News : MCCL's newspaper—published five times per year—is full of information about pro-life news, events, legislation, and more. Blog : The MCCL blog offers news, commentary, and analysis from a pro-life perspective. Educational literature : View or order our brochures, fliers, and other informational materials about right-to-life issues. Display and promotional materials : MCCL has fetal models, backdrops, and other resources for booths and displays. Posters and billboards : MCCL offers a variety of pro-life posters and larger billboards. Pregnancy and post-abortion help : Here are resources for those facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy, and those who have experienced abortion. Social media : Connect with MCCL on social media and follow us for daily updates. “Last spring when I learned that my daughter was pregnant, I called you to request literature for her six-year-old son. You graciously sent appropriate material for a child that age to understand. I appreciate that so much.” Patricia, St. Paul

  • Global Outreach | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    MCCL GO is an accredited NGO that works at the international level (U.N., O.A.S.) to oppose abortion and defend the right to life. GLOBAL OUTREACH MCCL Global Outreach (MCCL GO) is an MCCL program that works at the international level to oppose abortion and defend the right to life. We attend major international conferences, present written and oral statements, meet with delegates and ambassadors from other countries, and develop resources and materials regarding abortion, maternal mortality, and euthanasia. MCCL GO is an accredited non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations. We are also a registered civil society organization with the Organization of American States. More information about MCCL GO is available on the GO website . MCCL GO speaks at UN conference and brings University of St. Thomas law students to UN

  • Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life | Pro-life news and information

    MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization. We work to secure protection for innocent human life from conception until natural death through education, legislation, and political action.

  • Legislative Successes | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    The pro-life movement in Minnesota has succeeded in helping to enact many pro-life laws. Here are the highlights. PRO-LIFE LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES Through the hard work and dedication of MCCL staff, volunteers, and members, the pro-life movement in Minnesota has succeeded in helping to enact many pro-life laws. Below are the highlights of MCCL’s legislative work. (Note: Some of these laws have now been repealed .) Human Conceptus Law (MN Statutes 145.421-145.422) Passed in 1973, just months after Roe v. Wade was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court, this law prohibits experimentation on a living human conceptus. Abortion Physician-Only Requirement (MN Statute 145.412, Subd. 1) A year after Roe v. Wade , Minnesota passed an extensive Abortion Regulatory Law that included many protections for both mother and unborn child. Unfortunately, most were declared unconstitutional. A requirement that only physicians perform abortions remains in effect. Taxpayer Funded Abortion Ban (MN Statute 256B.0625) In 1978, Minnesota passed a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion, except in rare cases. Later, in 1995’s Doe v. Gomez decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional, forcing Minnesotans to begin paying for elective abortions. Parental Notification (MN Statute 144.343) Minnesota’s 1981 parental notification law requires that both parents be notified at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on a minor (it includes a court-required judicial bypass option). The law was challenged and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1990 Hodgson v. Minnesota decision. Abortion / Insurance Laws Also in 1981, Minnesota passed a law allowing health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to exclude elective abortions from their coverage. In 1986, Minnesota’s state insurance law was amended to require coverage of maternity care in policies written to cover Minnesota residents. When the Health Care Access bill (which essentially created MinnesotaCare) passed in 1991, pro-lifers successfully amended the bill to prohibit coverage of abortion and abortion-related services. Wrong Life / Birth Suits Prohibited (MN Statute 145.424) Legalized abortion led to a belief among some that it was a doctor’s duty to determine if an unborn child would be disabled, and if so, to then notify the parents so that the child could be aborted. Several of these cases, typically called "wrongful life" or "wrongful birth" suits, made it into the court system. With this in mind, Minnesota passed a law in 1982 prohibiting such cases. The law was challenged, although upheld, in the Minnesota Supreme Court. "Baby Doe" Protections (MN Statute 260C.007) Following a national controversy that arose over an Indiana infant whose parents denied care because their child was disabled, Minnesota passed a “Baby Doe” law in 1985 protecting such infants from withdrawal of medically indicated treatment (including feeding). Fetal Homicide Law (MN Statute 609.266) In the mid-'80s, a Minnesota man was charged with causing the deaths of a mother and her unborn child. On appeal, the court ruled that he could not be charged with the death of the child. Consequently, in 1986, Minnesota passed a fetal homicide law that imposes penalties on those who kill or injure an unborn baby other than in the commission of a legal abortion. Fetal Disposal Law (MN Statute 145.1621) Another law that was passed, challenged, and upheld in the courts (this time the Federal Eighth Circuit Court) was Minnesota’s 1987 fetal disposal law. It ensures that the bodies of aborted babies are buried, cremated, or otherwise disposed of in a sanitary and dignified manner. Advance Directives (MN Statutes Chapter 145C) In 1989, Minnesota considered legislation authorizing living wills that could be used to justify the withdrawal not only of medical care, but also of food and fluids. MCCL successfully lobbied to add some protective amendments to the legislation. One such protection requires that when a hospital refuses to treat a patient long-term, the hospital is still required to provide care to the patient until transfer to another hospital can be arranged. Conscience Clause (MN Statute 145.925) In 1991, the Minnesota Legislature provided a significant funding increase for family planning agencies. Because there was a fear that abortion-supporting organizations would receive preference in receiving these funds, a conscience clause was added that prohibited discrimination, when allocating family planning grant funds, against agencies that do not consider abortion a method of family planning. Prohibition of Assisted Suicide (MN Statute 609.215) In 1992 Minnesota clarified and tightened its law against assisted suicide. The law was weakened by a court ruling in 2014, but the prohibition on assisting someone in a suicide remains in place. Abortion Data Reporting (MN Statutes 145.4131-145.4136) In 1998 lawmakers passed an abortion data reporting law. The annual reports are invaluable, providing such information as why women choose abortion, what method of abortion is used, and how developed the unborn child is at the time of the abortion. Woman’s Right to Know (MN Statutes 145.4241-145.4249) Passed in 2003, the Woman’s Right to Know informed consent law empowers women by ensuring they are fully informed before undergoing an abortion. Specifically, the law requires that women be told the gestational age of their unborn child and the risks of carrying their child to term and of the abortion procedure, and that they be offered information on the baby’s development and alternatives to abortion. Positive Alternatives Act (MN Statute 145.4235) The Minnesota Legislature passed the Positive Alternatives Act in 2005. The Positive Alternatives program provides $2.5 million annually in grants to life-affirming organizations that assist pregnant women. The grants are available to provide various kinds of support and resources to women facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy—so that no woman feels forced into having an abortion. Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act (MN Statute 145.4242) The Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act was added to the Woman’s Right to Know law in 2005. It requires that women be offered pain-reducing medication for their unborn children after 20 weeks. Prohibition on Taxpayer Funding of Human Cloning (2009 MN Session Law, Chapter 95, Article 1, Sec. 5, Subd. 7) This measure prohibited the University of Minnesota from using taxpayer dollars for human cloning research for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. Abortion / Insurance Laws (MN Statute 145.414) This 2013 measure prohibits requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for elective abortions. Abortion cannot be a mandated “benefit” in MNsure, the health insurance exchange required by the Affordable Care Act. Born Alive Infant Protection Law (MN Statute 145.423) Minnesota law already prohibited the killing of an infant who is born alive during the course of an abortion, but an updated version of the law, based on federal law, went into effect in 2015. Safe Place for Newborns (MN Statute Section 145.902) Minnesota enacted the Safe Place for Newborns law in 2000. This program aims to prevent infant abandonment or infanticide by allowing a mother to anonymously surrender her newborn at a designated "safe place," no questions asked. The program was expanded in 2012, and funds were allocated to promote the program in 2015.

  • Latinos Por La Vida | MCCL Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    MCCL alcanza a la comunidad hispanohablante con nuestro mensaje provida a través del programa "Latinos por la vida." LATINOS POR LA VIDA Latinos por la vida es un programa de Ciudadanos de Minnesota Preocupados por la vida (MCCL) que se dedica a compartir el mensaje provida con la comunidad latina de Minnesota. Queremos proteger a bebés no nacidos, apoyar a mujeres embarazadas, y abogar por la dignidad humana en cada etapa. ¿Te unirás a la causa? Qué puedes hacer tú Invitar a MCCL a dar una presentación en tu evento o en tu iglesia hispanohablante. Puedes pedir una oradora en línea . Compartir materiales providas en español. Descarga los enlaces de PDF (a la derecha) o contacta a nuestra oficina para recibir estos materiales. Podemos ayudar a proveer recursos para tu iglesia, grupo, o comunidad. Donar para convertirte en miembro de MCCL y para apoyar a nuestra misión de provida . Aprende, promueve y asiste a los eventos providas de MCCL. Conéctate con nosotros por los redes sociales . Inscríbete para recibir actualizaciones providas por corréo electrónico . Materiales Provida Marcha Por La Vida La Vida Antes De Nacer El Problema De Planned Parenthood ¿Estás Embarazada? ¿Necesitas ayuda? La Política Extrema del Aborto en Minnesota

  • Events & Programs | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    MCCL's pro-life events include the March for Life, Student Day, Life Leadership Camp, 87 county fair booths, Fall Tour, and more. EVENTS + PROGRAMS Click below to learn about MCCL's various events and programs. March for Life : This annual event at the state Capitol marks the anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision. Legislative Dinner : MCCL's biannual dinner brings together lawmakers and their pro-life constituents for an evening of pro-life education. Save the 12,000 : MCCL offers pro-life presentations to equip and empower pro-life citizens in cities and towns all across the state. Booths and displays : MCCL has an educational presence at county fairs, the State Fair, and many other events. Youth programs : MCCL's youth outreach includes Student Day , Life Leadership Camp , and the Essay and Oratory Contests . Mother’s Day : Each year MCCL holds its Mother's Day Corsage Project, and also provides Mother's Day buttons and ads. Father’s Day : MCCL's Father's Day ads and buttons aim to recognize the importance of fathers. Speaking presentations : MCCL gives pro-life presentations at schools, churches, and other venues. Hispanos Por La Vida : This is MCCL's outreach to the Spanish-speaking community. Minnesotans Against Assisted Suicide : This program is a coalition created to oppose the legalization of assisted suicide in Minnesota. Global Outreach : MCCL's Global Outreach program is accredited with the United Nations and works to defend life at the international level.

  • Delegate Information | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES: TAKE BACK MINNESOTA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE SURVEY Note: Here are updated responses of the candidates for governor to MCCL's pro-life survey . Because of you , precinct caucuses on Feb. 3 were a success for pro-lifers in Minnesota. Many new people turned out for caucuses to give a renewed voice to unborn children. We thank you! Our work is not done, though. As you know, precinct caucuses are just the first step in taking our elections back for Life. There is more to do to ensure we have candidates on the November ballot who will win our state for unborn babies, pregnant moms, and others who need our support and protection. At precinct caucuses, thousands of you were elected delegates or alternates to your local endorsing conventions . If you were one of those elected as a delegate or alternate, you should soon receive from your political party a "convention call" telling you when and where your local endorsing convention will be held. Some of you may have received it at your precinct caucus already. Watch this page for further information about your local convention, but you will have two basic duties while you are there: Vote to endorse candidates to run for vitally important state Senate and state House seats. You will have a say in choosing pro-life candidates who have what it takes to win against pro-abortion candidates in November. Vote for delegates (including yourself!) to the state political party conventions held in the last week of May. We need you and other pro-lifers there to speak out for Life! Please let us know if you’ve been elected a delegate or alternate so we can connect you with other pro-life delegates. Communicating and working together will ensure that each convention—from the local endorsing conventions to the state and congressional district conventions—is as successful as possible for Life. To report that you’re a delegate, email mccl@mccl.org with your name, mailing address, email address, and textable phone number. Together, we will organize and win in 2026 for innocent human life!

  • How Your Donation Is Used | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    More than 88 percent of your gifts is used to support our lifesaving work. WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO? 94 percent of your gifts is used to support our lifesaving work. MCCL is dedicated to protecting the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, but it is only through your support that we are able to do so. This is why we feel so blessed by your generosity. We want to assure you that your gifts will be used efficiently and effectively to make a positive, lasting impact for innocent human life. That is why 94 percent of our total combined revenues is spent directly on program services—one of the highest percentages among charities in the state. MCCL revenues and expenses are audited annually by an outside accounting firm. Both the MCCL General Fund and MCCL Education Fund prepare and submit 990 forms to the IRS. These forms are available upon request. Thank you for partnering with us as we work to change the hearts and minds of those who would deny protection to the most vulnerable among us. Make a donation today . For further information, please contact the MCCL state office at 612-825-6831 or email us at mccl@mccl.org .

  • What Is Abortion? | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    Abortion is the intentional killing of a human being in utero (a human embryo or fetus). Here are the main abortion methods that are used today. WHAT IS ABORTION? Abortion is the intentional killing of a human being in utero (a human embryo or fetus). Here are the main abortion methods that are used today. Suction curettage/aspiration This first-trimester surgical method is the most common method of abortion. A tube attached to a powerful suction machine is inserted into the uterus, and the unborn child is vacuumed out of the womb. A curette may then be used to scrape out any remaining parts. (See a medical illustration of the procedure.) Some early suction abortions (often before seven weeks) employ a hand-held syringe rather than a suction machine. This is called manual vacuum aspiration. Chemical abortion Chemical or drug-induced (non-surgical) abortions are also used early in pregnancy (through about nine weeks). The pregnant woman is usually given a combination of two drugs. The first drug, mifepristone (RU486), blocks the flow of progesterone receptors in the uterine lining, depriving the unborn child of necessary fluids and nutrients. The second drug, a prostaglandin (usually misoprostol), is later taken to cause contractions that expel the child. Dilation and evacuation The primary abortion method during the second trimester is called dilation and evacuation (D & E) or dismemberment abortion. Instruments are used to reach into the uterus and grasp parts of the unborn child (such as arms and legs) and tear them out piece by piece; the head may need to be crushed in order to facilitate removal. The placenta and any remaining uterine contents may then be suctioned or scraped out of the womb. After the procedure, the body parts are reassembled on a tray to make sure that nothing is left inside the mother. (See a medical illustration of this procedure.) Partial-birth abortion Called dilation and extraction (D & X) or “intact D & E,” partial-birth abortion involves using instruments to remove the unborn child—intact rather than in pieces—from the womb feet-first until only the head remains inside. The back of the skull is punctured and the brain suctioned out, collapsing the head. The delivery of the dead child is then completed. The use of partial-birth abortion on a living unborn child was banned under federal law in 2003, and the ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart decision. The D & X procedure may still be performed if the unborn child is killed first through lethal injection. Induction abortion Another late-term abortion method involves inducing uterine contractions to prematurely expel the child. Drugs (often prostaglandins like misoprostol) are used to induce labor. Today, to prevent the possibility of a live birth, the child is usually killed by lethal injection before delivery. A chemical agent such as digoxin or potassium chloride is injected into the amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, or heart in order to kill the child.

  • Who Are They Leaving Out? | MCCL

    Minnesota lawmakers are excluding vulnerable members of the human family. Here’s who they are excluding — and who is doing the excluding. Who are they leaving out ... and why? Minnesota lawmakers are excluding vulnerable members of the human family. Here’s who they are excluding — and who is doing the excluding. PREGNANT WOMEN In 2023, the Minnesota legislature and Gov. Walz eliminated the Positive Alternatives program, which provided grants to support pregnant women and new mothers who need help and practical assistance. In addition, lawmakers and Walz repealed the Woman’s Right to Know informed consent law, which ensured that women receive basic factual information prior to undergoing abortion. They also repealed the requirement that only physicians perform abortion procedures. Now, without these longstanding laws, pregnant women are less supported, less empowered, and less protected. Who left them out? VIABLE UNBORN BABIES The Minnesota legislature and Gov. Walz enacted the PRO Act (HF 1), which created in state statute a “fundamental right” to abortion without any limits. Lawmakers and Walz also repealed a 1974 law that had previously limited abortion after viability (SF 2995). As a result of these changes, abortion is legal for any reason (not just health reasons) and at any time throughout pregnancy—including late in pregnancy when unborn children can feel pain. Viable unborn babies in Minnesota have no meaningful rights under the law and may be dismembered or poisoned to death for any reason. Who left them out? NEWBORNS Minnesota law now allows newborns to be set aside to die. Previously, the law guaranteed medically appropriate lifesaving treatment for infants who survive abortion. In 2023, though, the legislature and Gov. Tim Walz repealed the requirement that “reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice” be taken “to preserve the life and health of the born alive infant.” They replaced the requirement for lifesaving measures with a requirement for only “care” (which the bill’s author described as “comfort” care throughout committee discussions and floor debate). Moreover, the new law (SF 2995) no longer applies specifically to babies who survive abortion, but rather to all babies who are born alive. Under the new language, then, any viable infant could be denied lifesaving care and allowed to die. Babies born with disabilities, whose lives are often devalued, are especially at risk. Lawmakers and Walz went even further by repealing the requirement that practitioners of abortion report cases of born-alive infants and the measures taken to care for them (five born-alive infants were reported in 2021, for example). Now, Minnesotans won’t know when babies are born alive and left to die. Who left them out? PARENTS AND MINOR GIRLS Because of a 2022 court ruling, Minnesota no longer requires that parents even be notified prior to an abortion on a minor girl. Some lawmakers have gone further by seeking to erase Minnesota’s parental notification law from the books and deny parents their right to know. But parental involvement helps support minors and protect girls caught in human trafficking (traffickers often use abortion to hide their victims). Girls are harmed when parents are taken out of the equation. Who left them out? NURSING HOME PATIENTS Nursing homes are consistently underfunded, leaving vulnerable patients too often without necessary care. In 2023, Minnesota House members voted against considering a measure to provide nursing homes with the funding they need. Watch: Rep. Anne Neu Brindley exposed the nursing home crisis on the House floor . Who left them out? MINNESOTA VOTERS In 2023, lawmakers and Walz repealed numerous parts of Minnesota's longstanding abortion reporting law. Now, the public will not know about reasons for abortion, babies who survive abortion, and more. The new law also delays the reporting date so that Minnesotans won't learn the latest abortion numbers—which will show the effect of the recent legal changes—until late in the year (after the 2024 election). Minnesota lawmakers are hiding important information and keeping Minnesota voters in the dark. Who left them out? Copyright © 2024 Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. All rights reserved.

  • About MCCL | Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

    MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization. Discover why we are so effective. ABOUT MCCL MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization. Learn more about us—and about how you can partner with us to protect the vulnerable. Overview : Read about who we are and what we do. Volunteer : Take advantage of one of our volunteer opportunities. Contact MCCL : Contact us with your questions. Get involved : There are many ways to partner with MCCL. MCCL policy on violence : MCCL strongly condemns violence and illegal activities.

  • Election Information

    PRO-LIFE ELECTION RESOURCES IN MINNESOTA See our Voter's Guide November 3 General Election Early voting starts Sept. 18 Does your vote really matter ? When you cast your ballot in the 2026 elections, you have the power to save lives. Learn More Election Information Find your district numbers, polling place, and who will appear on your ballot Vote early by mail or in person Learn more about voting Church Voter Guide MCCL's General Election Voter's Guide If you are experiencing viewing issues, the Voter's Guide can also be downloaded here. See the full text of the questions answered by candidates for governor and state offices here. See the full text of the questions answered by state House and Senate candidates here.

Copyright © 2026 MCCL. All rights reserved.

bottom of page