SD Campaign for Health Families encourages everyone to read the language of abortion ban initiative

by Shannon

Web Correspondent
South Dakota Community Organizer
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Here we go again… or at least, so it seems. Unless the folks at VoteYesforLife.com can’t seem to get all the signatures they need, the good people of South Dakota will once again be voting on an abortion ban. (Sigh) And, I fear, the chances of them not getting those signatures is highly unlikely. But, a gal can hope, right?

Wednesday morning, we saw proof that things are once again kicking into “election-mode.”

Jan Nicolay, co-chair of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, addressed a standing-room-only gathering of supporters and the media. Her message was a great one. I was so proud to be a part of this group of people who truly care about the women and families of this state.

She encouraged everyone to read the language of the proposed measure (pdf). I would encourage everyone to do the same. This point can not be stressed enough. Only then, will people truly come to realize how the law is really a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

It is being presented as a ban with exceptions; it is anything but. The bill creates a web of bureaucracy. It requires victims of rape and incest to report the crime to law enforcement prior to the abortion. It also requires samples of the aborted fetus be saved for DNA analysis. “It is the cruelest and most callous approach to what it does to victims of rape and incest,” said Nicolay. “It puts them through a bureaucratic process that is almost unforgivable.”

The law goes a step further by interfering with the doctor-patient relationship. Nicolay called it “chilling.” Great word. I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I go to the doctor, I want to know that she is making the best possible decisions about my health based on her medical knowledge. I don’t want her making decisions out of fear of repercussions from the law.

Finally, I really question the true agenda of the anti-choice forces. I would challenge, as did Nicolay, that the REAL motive is to pass this law, and then go a step further by taking out their so-called “exceptions” so that once-again, South Dakota is looking at an all out ban. And, you don’t need me to remind you, that the voters of this state have made it crystal clear that is not what they want. Leslee Unruh said it herself. She’s quoted in Wednesday’s Argus Leader: “My goal is to see Planned Parenthood go back to Minnesota where it came from. That’s definitely my goal, that there won’t be any abortion.” Straight from the horse’s mouth.

The voters have already spoken on this issue. We’ve had enough of the government intrusion into our personal and private lives. These are gut-wrenching decisions that need to be considered in the comfort of one’s family, with one’s doctor.

Below you can watch some of the highlight's from Wednesday's press conference with Jan Nicolay, co chair of SD Campaign for healthy families. And check back later next week for more coverage of the press conference. Download a pdf of the language of the initiative, HERE.