A Roe of Our Own

Background

In 2007, for the first time ever, the US Supreme Court upheld a ban on a safe medical procedure.  The Federal Abortion ban criminalizes abortions considered safest for some women with particular high-risk medical conditions, even when a woman's health is threatened. 

In a 5-4 decision, with President Bush's two new anti-choice Justices siding against women's health, the Court threw out years of precedent and declared that abortion bans can ignore women's health. The anti-choice majority on the Court signals a dangerous shift that could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade at any time.

Wisconsin's Criminal Abortion Ban

Wisconsin has an antiquated abortion ban from the mid-1800s still on its books that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail (and up to $50,000 in fines) for doctors who provide abortions and up to 3.5 years in jail (and up to $10,000 in fines) for women who have an abortion or attempt to perform an abortion on themselves.  There is no exception for cases of rape or incest or pregnancies that risk the health of the woman. 

Although Wisconsin's Criminal Abortion Ban is unenforceable right now because of Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court has signaled its willingness to dismantle Roe's protections for women.  That means, in Wisconsin, the Criminal Abortion Ban will immediately go back into effect, and abortion will once again become a crime in our state.

If abortion became illegal in Wisconsin, women will be treated like criminals, many will not  seek medical help if complications arise and they could be threatened with prison. In addition, outlawing abortion will not stop abortions; it will just make them extremely dangerous and unsafe. In fact, there is no relationship between a country's abortion rate and whether abortion is legal or illegal- the only difference is that women may face death where abortion is illegal and unsafe.

Wisconsin Needs a Roe of Our Own

Wisconsin women can no longer depend on the Supreme Court to protect our right to a legal, safe abortion.  We need a Roe of Our Own so that no matter what happens to Roe at the federal level, Wisconsin women are protected.

Please help by signing the petition to support access to safe, legal abortion in Wisconsin. Also, please let your friends and family know about the ban and ask them to join you in signing the petition. Every voice counts! Thank you!