South Dakotans Speak–“It’s Time to End the Abortion Wars”

Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice, issued the following statement this morning on the South Dakota abortion referendum.

Washington, DC – South Dakotans spoke their mind clearly yesterday and rejected efforts to outlaw all abortions in the state. A narrow provision that would permit abortions only when a pregnant woman’s life was directly endangered was not enough to save this bill. South Dakota voters joined the majority of Americans who believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare.

We are hopeful that the results of this referendum will send a clear message to state legislatures that the right to choose abortion was not only correctly affirmed by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, but also reflects the values of the American people who understand that whatever one may believe about the morality of abortion, our laws must uphold the right to choose.

It is time to end the abortion wars and move beyond the question of whether or not abortion should be legal. It is time to make it less necessary.

That’s why Catholics for a Free Choice is promoting Prevention Not Prohibition. By making contraception readily available and affordable, ensuring that everyone has access to childcare and healthcare and teaching young adults to approach sexuality responsibly, policymakers create an environment that both enables women to avoid unintended pregnancies and supports them in their decision to carry a difficult pregnancy to term.

In this situation abortions aren’t illegal, they’re prevented. Isn’t that the best choice of all?

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