Abortion Ban Foes Petition for a Choice

[sarahlee]

STURGIS, S.D. — Volunteers pushing to overturn the nation's most far-reaching abortion ban are surprised and delighted by the response as they circulate petitions to put the law up for a public vote.

Even in the most conservative corners of this conservative state, both Republicans and Democrats — including a few who say they oppose abortion — are eagerly signing the petition. In two weeks, volunteers have collected a third of the signatures they need to get a November referendum on the ban.

Some voters dismiss the abortion-rights activists as out of touch with South Dakotan values. "People here have a sense of morals and ethics," said Darcy Patterson, 40. "I don't want to change the law."

But others say their legislators went too far when they voted last month to prohibit all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest, unless the mother's life is at stake.

<...>

Supporters expected the measure to draw an immediate court challenge from Planned Parenthood, which operates the only clinic providing abortions in South Dakota. Abortion opponents wanted a legal fight that could lead the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion.

But abortion-rights forces chose not to sue. Instead, they're appealing directly to voters.

More....
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-abortion9apr09,0,3844002.story?page=1&coll=la-home-headlines


Places to pick up Petitions:

Rapid City
Planned Parenthood
619 Mountain View Rd., 341.2545
Monday, 3 - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, 5 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, 3-7 p.m.
Friday, 2-5 p.m.
First Sat of the month, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Asio Studios
616 West St. at Main, 343.8222
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Black Hills Celtic Shop
523 7th St., 388-0281
Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sioux Falls
SD Campaign for Healthy Families
The Crane Company Building
326 E 8th Street, Suite 105
Mon-Fri 8:00 – 5:30pm

http://www.sdhealthyfamilies.org/index.html

EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST ONLY 4 OR 5 PARAGRAPHS
FROM THE COPYRIGHTED NEWS SOURCE PER DU RULES.