During a report on Wednesday’s Today show promoting “protests from coast to coast” against pro-life legislation in various states, NBC reporter Stephanie Gosk fretted over such a measure being considered in Louisiana. She noted how “calls from patients have spiked” at a New Orleans abortion clinic and ironically asked a member of the clinic’s staff if a “violent act” had ever occurred at the facility.
“Battling the ban. Protests erupt from coast to coast over those strict new abortion laws. More states considering action, demonstrators dig in for battle,” co-host Savannah Guthrie announced at the top of the broadcast, making the political debate sound like a war. In the report that followed minutes later, Gosk proclaimed: “The fight over abortion fired up more than it has been in decades. Abortion rights activists organizing a nationwide day of protest on Tuesday, after laws were introduced or passed in dozens of states restricting a woman’s access to abortion.”
The headline on-screen throughout the segment touted the left-wing marchers: “Protests From Coast to Coast; Demonstrators Rally Against New Wave of Abortion Bans.”
After showing protests in cities across the country, Gosk highlighted: “Including the steps of the Supreme Court, where Democrats running for president in 2020 joined them.” A soundbite was included of Planned Parenthood president Leana Wen warning: “Women’s lives are at stake. Banning abortion will not stop abortion, but it will stop safe, legal abortion.”
Reporting from New Orleans, Gosk worried: “In Louisiana, a bill banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy is just days away from a final vote.” At that point, the only pro-life argument in the entire report was featured, as a clip played of Democratic state representative Katrina Jackson voicing support for the legislation: “We believe the babies in the womb are worth having the same opportunity to live as all of you.”
“Calls from patients have spiked at this abortion clinic in New Orleans, one of three in Louisiana,” Gosk lamented. Clinic coordinator Katie Caldwell declared: “People are very afraid. I’ve seen patients that are already scheduled for their procedures calling in and asking whether or not they’re going to be able to access care. And the answer is absolutely yes.”
After Caldwell described seeing “protesters almost every day” outside the clinic, Gosk assumed the pro-life demonstrators were dangerous: “Has there ever been any violent act? Any attack on your clinic?” Caldwell claimed: “Absolutely, and on clinic staff.”
Apparently it was missed on Gosk that abortions themselves are acts of violence.
The reporter assured viewers: “Despite that, with the state’s fetal heartbeat bill likely to become law, she says the clinic will continue to serve women until it no longer can.”
Wrapping up the segment, co-host Craig Melvin was concerned that too much focus was being placed on pro-life legislation: “Steph, a lot of the attention so far has been paid to these states introducing anti-abortion restrictions. What, if anything, are other states doing to protect abortion rights?” Gosk touted:
Well, Craig, there are a number of states that are looking at legislation. Among them, Vermont, which is looking to protect abortion from any government interference whatsoever. Also in Michigan, the governor, a Democrat, has vowed to veto a restrictive abortion bill that’s already been passed by the state house.
When so-called “journalists” openly behave like abortion activists, it’s no wonder why they find it so easy to demonize pro-life advocates.
Here is a full transcript of the May 22 report:
7:10 AM ET
CRAIG MELVIN: To the hot-button issue of abortion now, with more than 30 states now rolling out or considering stricter laws, protests are growing. Opponents now holding so-called “Stop the Ban” rallies coast to coast. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk is in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the latest battlegrounds. Steph, good morning.
STEPHANIE GOSK: Hey, Craig, it certainly is. Later on this morning, abortion rights activists are going to be here in downtown New Orleans to protest. You know, the state has become something of a flash point as it gets ready to pass a restrictive abortion law. But it’s certainly not alone. Voices have been rising up on both sides of this passionate debate all across the country.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Protests From Coast to Coast; Demonstrators Rally Against New Wave of Abortion Bans]
PROTESTERS: For safe abortions we will fight!
GOSK: The fight over abortion fired up more than it has been in decades. Abortion rights activists organizing a nationwide day of protest on Tuesday, after laws were introduced or passed in dozens of states restricting a woman’s access to abortion. Atlanta –
PROTESTERS: Stand up, fight back!
GOSK: Boston –
PROTESTERS: We won’t go back! We won’t go back!
GOSK: Charlotte –
PROTESTERS: My body, my choice!
GOSK: Including the steps of the Supreme Court, where Democrats running for president in 2020 joined them.
SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND [D-NY]: Women’s rights are human rights!
DR. LEANA WEN [PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT]: Women’s lives are at stake. Banning abortion will not stop abortion, but it will stop safe, legal abortion.
GOSK: In Louisiana, a bill banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy is just days away from a final vote.
STATE REP. KATRINA JACKSON [D-LA]: We believe the babies in the womb are worth having the same opportunity to live as all of you.
GOSK: Calls from patients have spiked at this abortion clinic in New Orleans, one of three in Louisiana.
KATIE CALDWELL [WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE CENTER]: People are very afraid. I’ve seen patients that are already scheduled for their procedures calling in and asking whether or not they’re going to be able to access care. And the answer is absolutely yes.
GOSK: Katie Caldwell is the clinic’s coordinator.
CALDWELL: We have protesters almost every day.
GOSK: Has there ever been any violent act? Any attack on your clinic?
CALDWELL: Absolutely, and on clinic staff.
GOSK: Despite that, with the state’s fetal heartbeat bill likely to become law, she says the clinic will continue to serve women until it no longer can.
CALDWELL: I think that they are right to be afraid. They are right to be concerned. And we will be here for them as long as we can.
MELVIN: Steph, a lot of the attention so far has been paid to these states introducing anti-abortion restrictions. What, if anything, are other states doing to protect abortion rights?
GOSK: Well, Craig, there are a number of states that are looking at legislation. Among them, Vermont, which is looking to protect abortion from any government interference whatsoever. Also in Michigan, the governor, a Democrat, has vowed to veto a restrictive abortion bill that’s already been passed by the state house.
It’s also worth pointing out, our recent polling from this year shows that 67% of Americans want to keep Roe v. Wade, while 28% want to overturn it. Back to you guys.
MELVIN: Stephanie Gosk in New Orleans. Steph, thanks.
