Statement on Norma McCorvey’s Alleged Renunciation of the Right to Life

In case you’ve been under a rock, a new FX documentary claims that the late Norma McCorvey — the “Jane Roe” of Roe v. Wade who famously changed sides to join the pro-life movement — never actually supported the pro-life cause and was just putting on a decades-long act for money. Pro-life advocates who knew her strongly contest that claim, and you can read their open letter to FX here.

The leaders of Secular Pro-Life did not know Norma McCorvey personally, but there are many aspects of this story which give us pause. For one thing, the documentary alleges that Protestant groups were paying her off, which doesn’t make a ton of sense in light of her very public conversion to Catholicism. Norma McCorvey also gave testimony under oath in pro-life lawsuits, so she’s effectively being accused of perjury — a serious charge from which she cannot defend herself.

We join the call for the filmmakers to follow the example of the Center for Medical Progress by releasing their raw, unedited footage online.