the National Organization for Women
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Protesters in D.C. condemn abortion ban in S. Dakota |
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Campbell Roth, courtesy of the National Organization for Women |
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BY ARRIN HAWKINS
Around 50 defenders of a woman’s right to choose abortion demonstrated in Washington February 28 to protest a measure approved by the South Dakota legislature that would ban abortion in that state. If signed by the governor, this measure would make abortion illegal, including in cases of rape and incest. Doctors who perform abortions could face jail time of up to five years. The protest (see photo above) was called by Common Sense South Dakota, an organization formed by Steve Hildebrand, former campaign manager of Democratic South Dakota senator Thomas Daschle, to oppose the anti-abortion measure. The National Organization for Women, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, and other defenders of a woman’s right to choose came out for the impromptu rally at the JW Marriott Hotel where a national governors meeting was being held. Protestors demanded that South Dakota governor Michael Rounds veto the law. In an interview on ABC News “Good Morning America” February 25, Rounds said, “I will seriously consider signing the bill. It would be a direct frontal assault on Roe v. Wade.” The law would take affect July 1. Planned Parenthood, which operates the only abortion clinic in the state, said that it will file a lawsuit to overturn the law as unconstitutional.
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