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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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
NAF Member Clinic Moves to Block Ultrasound Law
NAF member Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, ND has filed a lawsuit to block part of a new state law that requires providers to offer all patients the option to view an ultrasound image 24 hours prior to obtaining abortion care. While a woman should have the option to view such an image, legislation mandating policies around ultrasounds is yet another intrusion by lawmakers into the doctor-patient relationship. The clinic, which has offered women the option to view an ultrasound for the past year, is concerned that the law’s unclear language will create additional barriers for women in need of care. “ This law does nothing to enhance the safety of abortion care and in the end, just subjects the only clinic in North Dakota to strict criminal liability for failing to conform to a medical standard that doesn’t exist,” said Suzanne Stolz, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. The clinic is asking the court to issue a temporary injunction preventing the law from taking effect on August 1 while the court reviews the legal challenge. Labels: NAF, South Dakota, ultrasound laws
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State Policymakers Continue to Attack Abortion Access
Lawmakers in multiple states continue to propose legislation attempting to restrict abortion access. Earlier this week in South Carolina, a bill requiring that all women wait 24 hours after an ultrasound is provided to receive abortion care was approved by a House committee and sent to the full House of Representatives. Current law already requires women to wait one hour after the ultrasound examination. Legislators in South Dakota have drafted a bill requiring that all providers meet with patients 24 hours prior to any scheduled appointment. Last November, South Dakota voters overwhelmingly defeated the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation by a margin of 55% to 45%. Anti-choice legislation failed this week in Wyoming, however, where a bill requiring providers to offer patients the option of an ultrasound before providing abortion care failed in committee. Thanks in part to the strong testimony of Rep. Sue Wallis, the legislation was rejected by a vote of 6-3. "To have the state impose this obligation on them to go through with this unnecessary procedure is an insult to me as a woman, and an insult to me as a United States citizen," Wallis said. This week, pro-choice advocates in Richmond, VA took proactive steps to oppose anti-choice legislation by joining together with activists from all over the state to urge legislators to protect and expand reproductive rights. Organized by the Virginia Pro-Choice Coalition and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, Pro-Choice Lobby Day drew hundreds of supporters, and two anti-choice bills were defeated by legislative committees. Labels: South Dakota, state legislation, ultrasound laws
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Temporary Injunction Delays Oklahoma Ultrasound Law
A temporary injunction, issued October 29, has prevented Oklahoma ultrasound legislation from taking effect this month. In April, the Oklahoma legislature passed the country’s most restrictive ultrasound law, which requires women to undergo an ultrasound one hour prior to obtaining abortion care and listen to an explanation from the medical professional performing the ultrasound while the image is displayed where she can see it. The injunction was filed by Nova Health Systems, the parent group of NAF member Reproductive Services of Tulsa, on grounds that the law violates a woman’s right to privacy by forcing her to listen to unwelcome, government dictated language in a private setting. Ultrasound legislation is manipulative to women and violates the doctor-patient relationship. This year, 18 states introduced ultrasound legislation with bills passing in one or both chambers in Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia. >Learn more about abortion rights in the states.Labels: Kansas, South Dakota, state legislation, ultrasound laws
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South Dakota Voters Reject the Nation’s Most Restrictive Abortion Ban
This ban would have threatened the lives and health of South Dakota women, and potentially set a dangerous precedent for our country. Today’s vote is a victory not only for women in South Dakota, but for women throughout the nation. This is the second time South Dakota voters have protected a woman’s right to access abortion care by defeating an abortion ban. In 2006, the South Dakota legislature passed an abortion ban, which Governor Mike Rounds signed into law. Citizens in South Dakota banded together in opposition to the legislation, and gathered enough signatures to defer implementation of the ban pending a statewide referendum. That year, South Dakota voters rejected the abortion ban by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent. Although abortion opponents proposed another abortion ban this year, the citizens of South Dakota have again voted not to outlaw abortion. The South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, the organization originally created to fight the abortion ban in 2006, once again played an integral part in the ban’s defeat. NAF also sent staff to South Dakota to help campaign against this dangerous initiative. Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota, state legislation
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NAF Staff in the Field: Fighting South Dakota’s Proposed Abortion Ban – Update 3
 Our weekend of activism culminated in a well-attended visibility event at a busy intersection in the middle of Rapid City. Even though the traffic was constant, drivers took the time to honk in support, sometimes slowing to wave. Some drivers pulled over to talk with us and get literature on the ban, and one driver even signed up to volunteer with the Campaign for Healthy Families. By the weekend’s end, our group of volunteers had documented more than 100 new supporters and had widely distributed boxes of bumper stickers and voter guides. One of the most rewarding aspects of our time in South Dakota has been meeting the campaign staff and volunteers here in Rapid City and from the neighboring states of Wyoming and Montana. An abortion provider from Oregon even joined the group and shared some of her experiences in providing abortion care. In between phone calls and campaigning, we discussed how abortion access and availability varied in each of our home states. Hearing about the barriers women face when obtaining abortion care in different states reminded us of the importance of our work here in South Dakota and back in DC. As we prepare to go home, I know we will not forget all of these stories and the amazing people we encountered in Rapid City. Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: Fighting South Dakota’s Proposed Abortion Ban – Update 2
 After our successful first day of phone banking and holding our "No on 11" signs at a busy downtown intersection, we were eager to hit the streets and meet the people of Rapid City. We set out in teams and canvassed tree-lined, hilly neighborhoods covered in Halloween décor and political signs. Our targets were undecided voters, and our mission was to make sure they knew that the ban was back on the ballot this year. Armed with maps, bottled water, and bags of Healthy Families literature, we made our way into the heart of Rapid City. We were impressed with the diversity of supporters: young mothers, senior citizens, and baby boomers. They all agreed that the exceptions were too broad and took away important decision-making from women, their doctors, and their families. Abortion in South Dakota is already rare and heavily regulated. We talked with people about how IM 11 would introduce big government into family decision making, and the harmful ways this ban would threaten a woman’s health. Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: Fighting South Dakota’s Proposed Abortion Ban - Update 1
Staff members from the National Abortion Federation traveled to South Dakota this week to work with the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families (SDCHF) to campaign against Initiated Measure 11, which would ban abortion in the state with limited exceptions. This week our blog will feature their reports “from the field” about this closely watched ballot initiative.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time abortion opponents have tried to ban abortion in the state. In 2006, South Dakota passed a broad abortion ban, but SDCHF was able to collect enough signatures to defer implementation of the ban pending a statewide referendum. Voters in South Dakota defeated the ban by a margin of 55% to 44%.
Upon arriving in Rapid City, the first thing we noticed was the lack of skyscrapers. Being city girls, a lack of tall buildings and concrete was pretty shocking. However, the political signs that followed us to the campaign office made us feel far more at home than we anticipated. We were greeted at the office by warm, friendly people whose kindness was trumped only by their dedication. They explained how difficult it already is for women in Rapid City to obtain abortion care because the city's reproductive health clinic doesn't provide abortions, and the closest clinic is located nearly 400 miles away in Sioux Falls.  Our first activity was to increase campaign visibility by joining a diverse group of campaign workers and volunteers holding signs against Initiated Measure 11 at one of Rapid City's busiest intersections. We received many reactions from passers-by, including a large number of honks and waves from fellow supporters. Being active on the issue in public made us realize just how divisive abortion is in the state of South Dakota, and gave us new drive for our evening's phone banking to educate voters and urge them to vote “no on 11.” Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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New Report on Medical Abortion
Today, the New England Journal of Medicine published research on the safety of medical abortion in terms of future pregnancies. The research concluded that there is no evidence that a previous medical abortion increases the risk of miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, preterm birth, or low birth weight. > View NAF’s fact sheet on medical abortionLabels: medical abortion, South Dakota
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South Dakota Senate Committee Rejects Abortion Ban
This morning the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee rejected an abortion ban by an 8 to 1 vote. This dangerous ban would have prohibited safe abortion procedures with limited exceptions, and was passed by the state House last week.
Despite the committee’s vote, the measure’s main sponsor, Rep. Gordon Howie, said he would still try to bring the bill before the full Senate. Forcing the bill out of committee requires a one-third vote of the full Senate, but members of the State Affairs Committee said they didn’t think there were enough votes in the Senate to take up the bill.
Senators from both political parties opposed this ban. State Affairs Committee member and majority leader Dave Knudson said, “The root issue here is the clear unconstitutionality of this bill.”Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota
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South Dakota Senate Rejects Three Abortion Measures
While the South Dakota House of Representatives passed a dangerous abortion ban yesterday, state senate committees defeated three bills aimed at restricting abortion access.
SB172 would have required doctors to inform women that they cannot be forced to have an abortion as part of the state’s required informed consent. SB171 would have required abortion providers to post a sign at their facilities stating such coercion is not allowed. Both bills were deemed unnecessary by lawmakers and defeated in committee. Also defeated was a bill passed by the South Dakota House that would have required abortion providers to offer women seeking abortion care the chance to view sonograms.Labels: abortion bans, access, South Dakota, state legislation
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Here is the press release we issued following the vote in South Dakota:Washington, DC - Reacting to today's action by the South Dakota House of Representatives to place another referendum before voters that would ban almost all abortions in the state, Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), noted that "Legislators have again put politics ahead of the well-being of South Dakota women." House Bill 1293 would prohibit virtually all safe abortion procedures and contains only narrow exceptions. Saporta called the legislation "an outrageous and dangerous step backward for women's lives and health." If the bill clears the Senate and is signed by the Governor, the measure would be placed before South Dakota voters in the 2008 election. "Just a few months ago, the citizens of South Dakota voted against returning to the days of illegal and unsafe abortions," said Saporta. Last November voters decisively rejected a similar referendum, with 56% of voters casting a vote against a broad abortion ban. Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota, state legislation
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South Dakota Attempts to Have Another Abortion Ban Referendum
A bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state of South Dakota will be voted on today in the state’s House of Representatives. If the bill clears House and Senate and is signed by the Governor, the measure would be placed before South Dakota voters in the 2008 election. Last year, voters decisively rejected an abortion ban referendum. >Learn more about the dangers of abortion bansLabels: abortion bans, South Dakota, state legislation
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States Continue to Attack Abortion Access
State lawmakers across the country continue their attempts to restrict abortion access.
Yesterday lawmakers in South Dakota introduced a bill banning abortion with limited exceptions. In November, voters in the state rejected an abortion ban by a wide margin. This year’s ban has stricter penalties; doctors who provide abortions could be charged with a Class-4 felony and face up to 10 years in prison.
A Utah House of Representatives panel Tuesday approved an unconstitutional abortion ban that challenges Roe v. Wade. Initially Rep. Paul Ray was expected to introduce a “trigger” bill, but at the last minute pushed for an abortion ban with limited exceptions. This is not the first time Utah legislators have tried to outlaw abortion. In the early 1990s Utah passed an abortion ban and spent more than $1 million taxpayer dollars to defend the law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where it was struck down as unconstitutional.
Friday, the North Dakota House of Representatives passed a “trigger” bill, which would go into effect if Roe v. Wade were overturned. This measure would ban all safe abortion procedures at all stages of pregnancy with no meaningful exceptions.Labels: abortion bans, access, Roe v. Wade, South Dakota, state legislation
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Voters Reject Abortion Restrictions
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda – Update 8
Staff members from the National Abortion Federation (NAF) are on the ground in South Dakota campaigning to repeal South Dakota’s abortion ban. Please read our blog this week to read our staff’s reports “from the field” about this closely watched ballot initiative and learn more about the “No on Six” campaign.We had a rally in front of the federal court house to get voters and the Sioux Falls Community energized. Jan Nicolay, co-chair of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families , spoke out against the ban and invited others to do the same. Several community members came forward to express their opposition, including a young pregnant woman, a mother of four, a union leader, a high-school student, and a medical student at a local university. Even the arrival of anti-choice protesters couldn’t dampen the energy of the crowd, which filled the entire sidewalk in front of the courthouse. Afterward, we joined about 30 other volunteers with signs and marched up to the busiest Sioux Falls intersections to wave our signs and cheer against the abortion ban. Our supporters honked and cheered as they drove by in their cars during the busy lunch hour. After two hours outside in the chilly South Dakota wind, our fingers were numb but our spirits were high, and we returned to the office to continue our efforts to get out the vote with phone calls and mailings. Labels: abortion bans, anti-choice, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda – Update 7
We visited the Planned Parenthood clinic. There was one lone protester praying out in front, but in talking with the Planned Parenthood staff we learned that the protesters have been out in force almost every day. We toured the facility and met the staff, including our NAF representative. She was thrilled to see us and gave each of us a big hug. It was rewarding to meet the individuals we work on behalf of in Washington, D.C. The staff's commitment to continue to provide services to women under these difficult circumstances was a theme that resonated throughout each conversation we had. One staff member shared a story about a patient she saw earlier that drove five hours from Rapid City to seek care, and will now have to drive five hours back home. Despite all of the media attention and controversy surrounding this issue, the patient was resolved that the protesters and politicians would not intimidate her from exercising her right to make her own medical choices. As we left the clinic, we drove by several different offensive posters the protester had brought with him. But the last thing we saw driving away was a huge banner that hangs on the outside of the clinic and reads, "These Doors Will Stay Open." With such a dedicated and fantastic staff, we are confident that will be the case. Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 6
 While driving around the Sioux Falls area, we notice that many of the churches have at least one (and usually several) “Vote Yes for Life” yard signs. Their marquees also contain anti-choice messages, along with reminders to vote on November 7th. Many of these churches are also polling locations, where South Dakota citizens will go to vote on Election Day. It is important to understand that many people of faith oppose the South Dakota ban and religious leaders are speaking out. Pastors for Moral Choices (link: http://www.pastorsformoralchoices.org/), an organization of religious leaders uniting together in South Dakota, has been formed by clergy that are against the comprehensive ban. Labels: abortion bans, anti-choice, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 5
 Working side by side with local pro-choice volunteers in the campaign office, we hear stories about why repealing the abortion ban is so important and how taking a position on this issue has affected their lives. We talk with Joan, who is addressing envelopes containing voter guides to be sent to the final group of undecided voters. It just so happens that her sister is the former abortion provider-turned-spokeswoman for the "Vote Yes for Life" ads running regularly on television. She talks about how this issue has divided her family. Labels: abortion bans, advertising, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 4
 On Sunday morning, the local Sioux Falls Paper, the Argus Leader, had a full front-page story with the most recent poll results for Referred Law Six. These results reflect the fact that 52% are in support of repealing the abortion ban, 42% are in favor of keeping the ban and 6% are undecided. There was a lot of excitement and energy when we arrived at the campaign office. However, the enthusiasm in the campaign office was tempered by a fear that complacency would set in among “No on Six” supporters. In order to defeat the ban, we need to get all of our voters to the polls, and most of Sunday was spent on the phone trying to recruit over 500 volunteers to help with the get-out-the-vote effort of election weekend up through Election Day. Labels: abortion bans, poll, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 3
 Last night watching TV, we had an opportunity to see the newest ad that the “ No on Six” Campaign is airing to educate South Dakotans about the restrictive abortion ban. It was immediately followed by an ad paid for by the organization supporting the ban, “Vote Yes for Life,” in which a female doctor urges voters to support life. With competing information, how is a voter to decide? For its part, “No on Six” has undertaken a massive effort to educate voters about the ban. Our first task at campaign headquarters was to put labels with polling locations for each precinct in Sioux Falls on doorknob hangers that contain information about the lack of exceptions in the abortion ban. These will be distributed throughout all of the neighborhoods in Sioux Falls. We then moved on to inscribing voter guides explaining the restrictive provisions in the ban, which will be mailed out to undecided voters. Our afternoon was spent on the phone, urging voters to come out for a “No on Six” rally, where citizens of Sioux Falls will speak out to explain why they are opposed to the ban. Labels: abortion bans, advertising, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 2
 With Halloween right around the corner in South Dakota, even jack-o-lanterns take on a political tone as volunteers show up to carve “ No on Six” into pumpkins. This was first done at the campaign headquarters in Rapid City, and it attracted the attention of local media who came down to tape the event. Pumpkin carving proved to be a fun activity for the campaign organizers and volunteers in Sioux Falls who have been working long hours on the campaign without a break. When the masterpieces were completed, they were lined up so we could all take pictures of the blazing “No on Six” gourds. Then, for Lisa, Angie and Jen, along with other volunteers and campaign staff, it was back to the phones. Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota
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NAF Staff in the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban Referenda - Update 1
 Driving along the flat, dusty stretch of Highway 29 between our hotel and campaign headquarters, we are all struck by the sheer number of yard signs reflecting various issues South Dakotans will be deciding on in a few days. In past elections, it may have been easier to predict the outcome for certain ballot initiatives based on voter history. However, on November 7, 2006, South Dakotans will vote on repealing the most restrictive abortion ban that outlaws abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with only a limited exception if necessary to save the life of the woman. In talking with one of the “ No on Six” organizers at our campaign headquarters, it is clear that repealing the abortion ban is not an issue that will be decided along party lines. Volunteers from every political party and from both sides of the abortion issue have showed up to help spread the word about the importance of repealing the restrictive ban. Democrats sit alongside Republicans and Independents stuffing voter guides to be mailed out. Self described pro-choice and anti-choice voters stop by to pick up “ No on Six” yard signs for their lawns. Labels: abortion bans, anti-choice, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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Reports from the Field: South Dakota Abortion Ban
Staff members from the National Abortion Federation (NAF) are on the ground in South Dakota campaigning to repeal South Dakota’s abortion ban. Please read our blog this week to read our staff’s reports “from the field” about this closely watched ballot initiative and learn more about the “ No on Six” campaign. Earlier this year, the South Dakota legislature voted to deny women safe and legal access to essential reproductive health care services. House Bill 1215, which was signed by Governor Rounds in March, would prohibit abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with only a limited exception if necessary to save the life of the woman. The people of South Dakota banded together in opposition to this broad abortion ban, creating the Campaign for Healthy Families gathering enough signatures put the measure to a vote by South Dakotans on November 7th. Labels: abortion bans, access, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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South Dakota: Fight the Abortion Ban!
Earlier this year, the South Dakota legislature voted to deny women safe and legal access to essential reproductive health care services. House Bill 1215, which was signed by Governor Rounds in March, would prohibit abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with only a limited exception if necessary to save the life of the woman. The people of South Dakota banded together in opposition to this broad abortion ban, creating the Campaign for Healthy Families and gathering enough signatures to defer implementation of the ban pending a statewide referendum in November. Learn more about the dangers of abortion bans and visit the Campaign for Healthy Families website to learn more about the referendum. Labels: abortion bans, access, South Dakota
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South Dakota’s Abortion Ban Could Head to the Courts
South Dakota Attorney General said if voters approve an abortion ban it may be challenged in court and could be found to violate the U.S. Constitution. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law earlier this year, the law prohibits all safe abortion procedures at all stages of pregnancy and contains only a limited exception for the life of the woman. In June 2006, pro-choice activists gathered the required signatures to place an abortion ban repeal initiative on November’s ballot challenging the new abortion ban law before it takes effect. > Read the Associated Press articleLabels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, South Dakota, state legislation
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Another Battle Over Abortion in South Dakota
Women’s eNews reports that Cecelia Fire Thunder, the first woman president of the Oglala Sioux Nation, is under attack for advocating for a women’s health clinic that would provide abortion care be built on the Pine Ridge Reservation, located in southwest South Dakota. Fire Thunder has since come under attack from abortion opponents, and the Oglala council has passed an abortion ban. Fire Thunder is now facing an impeachment hearing. The article notes that, “Legal abortion, Fire Thunder said, is particularly important for Native American women, who lack access to birth control, who tend to live in poverty and who face epidemic sexual violence.” Read the article on Fire Thunder from Women’s eNEWS. Labels: abortion bans, access, South Dakota, state legislation
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South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson certified this week that the required signatures had been gathered and the restrictive anti-abortion repeal initiative would appear on the ballot in November. Citizens of South Dakota will have a chance to repeal the state’s extreme ban on abortion. The South Dakota ban outlaws abortion, making it a felony for a doctor to provide an abortion and makes no exception for rape, incest, or to protect the health of the woman. In March 2006, NAF called the actions by South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds in signing into law the abortion ban, "a direct attack on American women and their reproductive freedoms." View NAF’s press releaseLabels: abortion bans, anti-choice, ballot initiatives, South Dakota
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Tuesday, pro-choice activists in South Dakota turned in more than 37,000 signatures in support of a ballot initiative to overturn South Dakota's ban on abortions. The Toronto Star reports on the decision of Amnesty International's Canadian section to include reproductive health in its mission of advocating for human rights. Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, Canada, South Dakota
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CNN Profiles South Dakota Provider
CNN has a story on one of the abortion providers who routinely flies into South Dakota to help care for women at the state’s only comprehensive reproductive health care clinic. Watch a clip from the CNN story In 2005 Quebec passed a law that would increase teens’ access to birth control, but the reforms still have yet to be implemented. Read the Montreal Gazette article. Labels: access, South Dakota
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News Roundup
The Associated Press reports that the South Dakota abortion ban may not apply to the state’s Native American reservations. The Houston Chronicle reports on how women in Texas are struggling with state cuts to reproductive health care services. Connie Schultz, a columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, writes about how religious faith supports pro-choice values. Read the article. The Toronto-based National Post published a column calling for a Canadian law restricting abortion. Labels: abortion bans, Canada, South Dakota
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Mobilizing The States
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports on how the South Dakota abortion ban is mobilizing new activists in the states. Read the article. The New York Times had an editorial on Saturday commending Senators Patty Murray and Hillary Clinton for blocking the nomination of a new FDA chief until the agency issues a decision on emergency contraception. Read more.Newsday has a new review of Eyal Press’ memoir about his father, who is an abortion provider in Buffalo, New York. Press began researching the book in 1998 after his father’s colleague, Dr. Barnett Slepian, was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist. Read the review.Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota, state legislation
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Pro-Choice Activists Fight Back
Pro-choice activists in South Dakota kicked off a campaign today to overturn the state’s abortion ban. Read the Reuters story. NPR has a story about how bills expanding access to emergency contraception are faring in state legislatures. Listen to the report. Anti-choice Alabama legislators have introduced two bills that would ban almost all abortions in the state. Fortunately, the Alabama legislative session is nearing a close and the bills are likely to die in committee. Read the local story. Labels: abortion bans, access, Alabama, anti-choice, South Dakota, state legislation
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Possible Consequences of the South Dakota Abortion Ban
NAF was part of a story in the Toronto Star about the South Dakota abortion ban. The New York Times has an editorial commenting on the unconstitutionality of the South Dakota abortion ban. Eyal Press has an op-ed in the New York Times that talks about low-income women’s lack of access to abortion services. Press’ father is an abortion provider in Buffalo, New York, and Press recently published his memoir, Absolute Convictions: My Father, a City and the Conflict That Divided America.Labels: abortion bans, access, South Dakota, state legislation
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South Dakota: Still Front Page News
Today NAF was part of an Associated Press story on the South Dakota abortion ban. The Argus Leader reports that South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is trying to distance himself from the abortion ban, which he signed into law yesterday. According to this second Associated Press story, Governor Rounds also says that if the abortion ban is put on the ballot this fall, he will not take a position on it. Read columnist Molly Ivin’s take on the South Dakota ban. Reuters reports that many women in Mexico who become pregnant through sexual assault are denied abortions, even though it is legal for rape survivors to terminate an unintended pregnancy. Labels: abortion bans, ballot initiatives, Mexico, South Dakota, state legislation
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Yesterday, the South Dakota governor signed into law a blatantly unconstitutional bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state. We expect this law to be challenged and then immediately enjoined. We issued a press release yesterday condemning the ban. Read the Associated Press article. Read the CNN article. Here’s the local story from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. USA Today is reporting that the South Dakota ban is causing rifts among the anti-choice community. Labels: abortion bans, anti-choice, South Dakota, state legislation
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South Dakota Boycott
Alternet, an online news site, has posted about a drive to boycott South Dakota in protest of its restrictive abortion ban. The Women's Medical Fund in Madison, Wisconsin started the boycott, which they call the “Bypass South Dakota” movement. Marcy Bloom, the director of Aradia Women’s Health in Seattle, wrote a moving and thoughtful post about the boycott and South Dakota’s fierce hostility to reproductive freedom. Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota
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South Dakota Passes Abortion Ban
Yesterday, the South Dakota legislature passed the bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state. This is an extremely sad day for South Dakota women, whose legislators passed the ban without any consideration for their lives and health. The New York Times has a story examining the implications of this development. We also put out a press release yesterday criticizing the legislature for playing politics with women’s lives. Labels: abortion bans, South Dakota, state legislation
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South Dakota and Roe
South Dakota lawmakers will soon vote on a bill that could outlaw almost all abortions in the state. The bill contains an extremely narrow exception for the life of the woman, but women who were impregnated through rape or incest would be forced to carry their pregnancies to term. If the bill passes, South Dakota would hold the impressive honor of having the strictest abortion law in the country. The ban also seeks to challenge Roe v. Wade directly. If it passes, it will likely be challenged in court, as it disregards precedents set in Roe. Today’s New York Times examines how the bill seeks to eventually overturn Roe and send control over abortion laws back to the states. Labels: abortion bans, Roe v. Wade, South Dakota, state legislation
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