Activists, Miller supporters react to 'victory for white life' abortion remark

U. S. Representative Mary Miller, R-Illinois, is under fire for a comment she made at a rally with former President Donald Trump.

"President Trump, on behalf of all the MAGA patriots in America, I want to thank you for the historic victory for white life in the Supreme Court yesterday," Rep. Miller said to a crowd in Mendon, Ill.

Miller said she simply "misspoke."

FOX Illinois reached out to Rep. Miller for a comment, but she declined. However, she did appear on Springfield's morning radio show WMAY to say she stumbled over her speech script and that she is not a racist.

"Not one person at the rally or on TV heard it. It's so ridiculous. Nobody that I talked to thought that I didn't stumble in saying right to life. That's all it was," Miller said about the program.

FOX Illinois spoke with the Champaign Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

NAACP President Minnie Pearson says that was no mistake and that comment further divides America.

"She told us who she is, and we believed her the first time," Pearson said. "It's very divisive."

Pearson said not only do Miller's comments dismiss both white and minority people who may struggle to get an abortion, but she says it also disregards minority groups who are pro-life.

"There are many pro-life minority people, and she just swept them under the rug someplace and to be quiet," Pearson said. "She got her agenda out there and now she wants to change it? We heard you the first time Ms. Miller."

Long-time Miller supporter Lisa Pope attended Saturday's rally and she said that comment didn't catch her attention.

"I didn't hear that jump out at me, but I did notice that she stumbled a little once," Pope said.

Pope said she believes Miller made an honest mistake.

"I know her personally and her grandchild are of mixed race," Pope said. "I know she is for all of humanity not just for one race or another."

Pearson said voters should be sure of who they want to vote for heading into Tuesday's election following Miller's comment.

"Consider the people you put in these seats and you elect people to represent you," Pearson said. "Is this how you want to be represented?"