Guest Author - Rebecca Pearce-Banks

A clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas is performing free abortions on Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Dr. Jerry Edwards, director of the Little Rock Family Planning Clinic, has performed six free abortions at press time.

“If we didn’t provide it now, they would get it later — a late-term abortion that would give greater risk to the mother’s health,” Edwards said to Little Rock's KTHV-TV.

Abortion opponents are stating that an abortion at this point in a disaster victim's life will only add to the catastrophic loss they are already experiencing. Local Planned Parenthood spokesperson Marvin Schwartz claims that Edwards is simply providing a service the women need.

Pregnant women who are displaced from the hurricanes are urged to contact OptionLine at 1-800-395-HELP(4357) or visit the at OptionLine. Counselors are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.