On February 22, a new law was passed in South Dakota outlawing abortion. Proposed amendments to the bill to allow abortions in the case or rape or incest, or where a pregnant woman’s health is affected, were defeated. Abortion will only be legal in cases where it will save the pregnant woman’s life. Supporters of the bill hope it will lead to the overturning of the 1973 Roe versus Wade ruling, which recognised women’s right to abortion. Women’s rights groups have vowed to prevent this and to have the new ruling overturned. Last year, five anti-abortion laws were passed in South Dakota, including one that has been blocked by a Planned Parenthood lawsuit that would compel doctors to tell patients they would be ending the life of a “whole, separate, unique human being”.

From Green Left Weekly, March 1, 2006.
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