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National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter

News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta.

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Remembering an American hero: George Tiller

We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.

Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.

Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Michigan Governor Plans to Veto Proposed Abortion Ban

Today, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm stated that she would veto a bill headed to her office, which bans certain types of abortions without an exception for a woman’s health. The bill was passed today by the Senate, and resembles a federal ban upheld by the Supreme Court last year. There have been three previous attempts in the state to outlaw the procedures covered in the bill, but all have been declared unconstitutional by federal courts.

Labels: abortion bans, Michigan, state legislation

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Appeals Court Strikes Down Virginia Abortion Ban

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned a Virginia abortion law on constitutional grounds. This is the second time the federal appeals court in Richmond has struck down this law ruling it would impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to obtain abortion care.

The 2-1 ruling affirms the same court’s 2005 decision to strike down the abortion ban, a ruling which prevented Virginia’s law from taking effect. However, last year the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law banning certain abortions. Following this decision, the Supreme Court ordered the appeals court to reexamine the Virginia law in light of the high court's ruling on the federal ban. Since the Supreme Court decision in April 2007, federal appeals courts have overturned state bans in Michigan and now Virginia, finding that they are broader than the federal abortion ban.

Like the federal law, Virginia’s act banned certain abortion procedures after the first trimester and lacked an exception to protect women’s health.

“Unlike the federal act,” Judge M. Blane Michael wrote for the majority, “the Virginia act subjects all doctors who perform” the more common procedure “to potential criminal liability, thereby imposing an unconstitutional burden on a woman’s right to choose.”

Labels: abortion bans, criminal penalties laws, Michigan

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Monday, January 07, 2008

Supreme Court Upholds Lower Court’s Decision Finding Michigan’s Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court today decided not to hear an appeal from an anti-abortion group to reconsider a Michigan law banning so called “partial birth abortions.” By doing so, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which ruled the Michigan law was unconstitutional because it could also ban other abortion procedures stands.

Labels: abortion bans, Michigan

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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Michigan’s Abortion Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that a Michigan statute, which banned certain abortion procedures, was unconstitutional. According to the court, the Legal Birth Definition Act was worded so broadly that in addition to banning intact dilation and extraction procedures, it would also prohibit other legal abortion methods. The law “showed no meaningful attempt to comply with the constitutional limitations articulated by federal courts in the area of abortion law,” Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. wrote for the court.

This is the third attempt in the last ten years by Michigan lawmakers to restrict access to abortion procedures. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law banning certain abortion procedures after the first trimester.

>Learn more about the Federal Abortion Ban

Labels: abortion bans, access, Michigan

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Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Anti-Choice Protests Anger Michigan Residents

Missionaries to the Preborn, an anti-choice group based in Milwaukee, angered residents of Muskegon by displaying large graphic photos. Yesterday, about 65 adult and children protestors handed out brochures to uncomfortable passers-by. Many residents called in complaints to the local police station. This was one of the many stops on the group's 12 day Great Lakes Tour throughout the Midwest.

>Read the Muskegon Chronicle article

Labels: anti-choice, Michigan

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Thursday, July 27, 2006

New Bill Introduced to Screen Women Seeking Abortions in Michigan

A new proposed bill in Michigan would require that all women seeking abortions be screened prior to the procedure. Providers would have to ask questions to see if the woman was forced or coerced into the decision.

>View the WLNS story

Labels: Michigan, state legislation

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Monday, July 10, 2006

Anti-abortion Amendment Fails to Make it onto the Ballot in Michigan

Due to a lack of petition signatures, a proposed constitutional amendment will not make Michigan's November ballot. The amendment would have altered Michigan's constitution to legally define a person as existing from the moment of conception.

>View Associated Press article

Labels: ballot initiatives, Michigan

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National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter

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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Michigan Governor Plans to Veto Proposed Abortion Ban

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Appeals Court Strikes Down Virginia Abortion Ban

Monday, January 07, 2008

Supreme Court Upholds Lower Court’s Decision Finding Michigan’s Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Michigan’s Abortion Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Anti-Choice Protests Anger Michigan Residents

Thursday, July 27, 2006

New Bill Introduced to Screen Women Seeking Abortions in Michigan

Monday, July 10, 2006

Anti-abortion Amendment Fails to Make it onto the Ballot in Michigan