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Why Pro-Lifers Shun Her Abortion Ban

But 20-year-old who pioneered it fights on in Colorado

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 1, 2008 7:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – Why is Kristi Burton not a pro-life star? The 21-year-old has single-handedly conceived and championed an amendment to Colorado’s constitution that, if approved by voters, would define a fetus as a person, paving the way for an abortion ban. But top pro-life organizations are keeping away from Burton and her cause, worried that it will trigger a losing legal battle, Newsweek reports.

The amendment is the first of its kind, and holds a support base of up to 40%, but bigger organizations know the Supreme Court remains a vote shy of overturning Roe v. Wade. Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer isn’t supporting the amendment, saying it’s not “the right thing to do at this time.” Burton is undaunted by the naysayers: “I wish we could get on the same side,” she says, but “this thing isn’t going away.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Kristi Burton, 20, of Peyton, Colo., founder of a group called Colorado for Equal Rights, gestures during an interview, Nov. 16, 2007 in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/Peter Fredin)

Kristi Burton chats with supporters over sandwiches at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Junta, Colo., Sept. 28, 2008. (AP Photo)

As Gov. Bill Ritter, in red tie at right, watches, obstetrician Dr. Eliza Buyers speaks at a podium in Denver on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Kristen Wyatt)

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You can have differences in strategy and may not think it's the best, but it's a pro-life initiative and we support that. - Carrie Gordon Earll, Focus on the Family spokesman

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Why Pro-Lifers Shun Her Abortion Ban