Actually, it ain't new at all, but hey, those women's studies MAs (pdf) don't write themselves, you know.
The thesis is that the anti-choice movement in Canada is getting 'sophisticated', co-opting pro-choice language, framing abortion as 'harming women', moving the *undebate* into a discussion of free speech and democracy, claiming that it's a 'youth movement', and playing the 'silenced' victim card.
The anti-abortion movement in Canada, while increasingly enlivened and sophisticated, remains a small minority. Clearly phrased polls show that Canadians do not want the issue re-politicized. This is precisely why Harper promised not to do so. He knows that it is a toxic issue for his goal of mainstreaming conservatism. The anti-abortion movement has also understood that the old arguments and positioning have not worked. They are therefore increasingly seeking to frame the issue in ways that piggyback on values, issues and rhetorical strategies traditionally used by progressive movements (and which have greater traction and resonance in Canadian society).
Veteran fetus fetishist watchers (ahem) recognize all these tactics. They've been trying them forever.
The 'abortion harms women (AHW)' meme originated over a decade ago with the 'Moses' of the 'post-abortion movement', quack David Reardon. They try, amusingly, to back this up with sciencey stuff that we here at DJ! love to debunk. That abortion causes breast cancer, insanity, substance abuse, etc etc.
Warawa's Wank, aka #M408, is a variant on AHW with the new twist that abortion harms 'preborn' women.
Co-opting language, been there, done that.
Free speech, democracy, and human rights? Yep. Comparisons of abortion to slavery, genocide, and the Holocaust abound.
Youth movement? Sure, especially since they're now admitting that Catholic schools pay to bus kids to events like March for Lies.
Hilariously, they've been trying to 'hip'-ify their activities for years too.
Martyrdom has always been big with them, recently celebrated with
Jubilee medals courtesy of the Canadian government.
Silencing? Old hat.
In trying to work up a new take on a dying movement, these new kids on the block give the fetus fetishists waaaay too much credit. It's the sameold sameold, no matter how
