South Dakotans protesting abortion in this KSFY file photo.
Story Created:
Jul 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 19, 2008 at 10:21 PM CDT
Effective Saturday, a new South Dakota state law requires doctors to notify women seeking an abortion that they are ending a human life.
The law was actually passed in 2005 and it says doctors must tell women, in writing, that abortion "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique living human being."
Some call it a victory, but others are hitting the streets in what seems to be a brewing battle between both sides of the issue. Opponents of an abortion ban from the South Dakota Campaign For Healthy Families were out in Sioux Falls Saturday passing out some literature. They're asking South Dakotans to vote no on a November ballot item that would ban abortion in South Dakota except in instances of rape and incest.
"They don't need someone telling them what to do. They don't need someone telling them what they can and cannot do. A family knows their circumstances best and I personally trust South Dakota families to make responsible decisions," said South Dakota Campaign For Healthy Families spokesperson Chris Cassidy.
Despite the upcoming vote, the abortion law is already changing. On June 27th, a circuit court ruled that doctors must begin warning women seeking an abortion that they are ending a human life. Starting Saturday, the state is enforcing it.
The new law is a major victory for those who oppose abortion. In a statement sent to KSFY, South Dakota Right To Life director Rachel Kippley said "Unborn children have their own separate heartbeats, DNA, and fingerprints. Anytime an abortionist gives a woman the complete facts about her unborn baby, the greater the chance that she will choose life for her child."
The law is actually still being challenged in court by Planned Parenthood, but this latest ruling means the law will be in place until a final decision is made.
Still, those against abortion are looking forward to November when South Dakotans will decide if they want to approve a widespread abortion ban. Their opponents are hoping that won't happen and will continue to canvas the state with pro-choice literature.
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KSFY's Drew Sandholm can be reached by phone at (605) 373-7372 or by e-mail.
Tuesday, Aug 5 at 11:23 AM Anonymous wrote ...
The point is not whatever it is that is being carried inside the woman. Is it life or not? That is not the issue. The issue is taking away the rights of women and any woman who supports the abortion ban does not deserve any other rights we have fought to have for over 200 years. This is just another law to take away another right to privacy given to us in the Constitution of the United States!