Tuesday, November 7, 2006
NAF Communications Department
202-667-5881
press@prochoice.org
Washington, DC - Today, South Dakota voters rejected the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation, which would have prohibited almost all abortions in the state.
"This ban would have endangered the lives and health of South Dakota women and its rejection is a victory for women in South Dakota and throughout the country," National Abortion Federation (NAF) President and CEO Vicki Saporta said. "We are pleased that the citizens of South Dakota voted against returning to the days of illegal and unsafe abortions."
The abortion ban would have prohibited safe abortion procedures at all stages of pregnancy with only a limited exception for the life of the woman. If the law had passed, women in South Dakota would have been forced to carry a pregnancy to term, even if it jeopardized their health or if it was the result of rape or incest.
The abortion ban was passed earlier this year by the South Dakota legislature and signed by Governor Rounds. Citizens in South Dakota banded together in opposition to the abortion ban, creating the Campaign for Healthy Families, and gathered enough signatures to defer implementation of the ban pending the statewide referendum. NAF staff went to South Dakota and campaigned to help repeal this dangerous ban.
###
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in the United States and Canada. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care to promote health and justice for women. Our members include health care professionals at clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals, who together care for more than half the women in both countries who choose abortion each year. For more information, visit our website at www.prochoice.org
|
