ACLU Applauds South Dakotans’ Efforts to Protect Women’s Health and Safety in Light of Extreme Abortion Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

PIERRE, SD -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the efforts of South Dakotans to protect women’s health and safety in light of an extreme and dangerous abortion ban. The South Dakota Campaign for Health Families brought petitions with over 37,800 signatures today to the state capitol in order to place a repeal of the ban on the November ballot.

“South Dakotans want families to be able to make personal decisions about health care without government intrusion,” said Jennifer Ring, Executive Director of the ACLU of the Dakotas. “The thousands of signatures delivered to the state capitol today reflect the values of families across the state and come November will give every South Dakotan the chance to tell lawmakers that women’s health matters.”

The ban, which was passed by the South Dakota legislature in February and signed by Governor Mike Rounds on March 6th, is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2006. Today’s action suspends the effective date pending the outcome of November’s election. The ban outlaws nearly all abortions in South Dakota.

“If lawmakers cared about women’s health, they would put resources into reducing unintended pregnancies by promoting education and ensuring access to birth control,” said Louise Melling, Director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project.

The South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families is an organization made up of concerned individuals and more than 10 organizations.

For more information visit www.acludakotas.org

For more information on the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, visit www.sdhealthyfamilies.com