Sex Act Campaign, March, 2006

Fight the South Dakota Abortion Ban

On February 22, the South Dakota Senate passed a bill severely limiting abortion services in that state. Currently in South Dakota, only one clinic provides abortions, serving about 800 women per year. The bill will now go to the desk of pro-life Governor Mike Rounds who will most likely sign it into law.

Alarmingly, the legislation allows abortion only when a woman's life is in danger. It provides no exception for when a woman's health is at risk or for victims of rape or incest. Krista Heeren-Graber, executive director of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, noted that according to South Dakota state law, "If a rape victim becomes pregnant and bears a child, the rapist could have the same parental rights as the mother" ("S. Dakota Abortion Ban Ok'd" www.chicagotribune.com).

This legislation is formulated to directly challenge the 1973 Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. Abortion opponents hope that the South Dakota law will be appealed to the Supreme Court, where new Bush appointees Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel Alito are expected to vote to overturn the precedent set by Roe v. Wade.

Planned Parenthood of South Dakota has pledged a legal fight as soon as the bill is signed into law.

Take Action!

Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are poised to fight the South Dakota Abortion Ban–both in the courts and on the streets. Visit their websites to volunteer, donate money, sign petitions, and write letters to the editor of your local paper.