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March 27, 2006
woman crying
The new South Dakota ban prohibits all abortions except to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

Freedom of choice is a “question of sovereignty,” said Cecilia Fire Thunder last week in an interview with the Native Times. Fire Thunder, president of the Oglala Sioux tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, says that if the recent abortion ban there goes into effect, abortions could be provided at a clinic on the reservation.

The new South Dakota ban prohibits all abortions except to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Fire Thunder said because the reservation is a sovereign nation, the state law would not apply there.

Fire Thunder, a former nurse and health-care worker, became incensed after hearing state Sen. Bill Napoli, R-Rapid City, suggest that if a pregnancy resulted from a case of “simple rape” there should be no question that an abortion would not be an available option.

“I will personally establish a Planned Parenthood clinic on my own land which is within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation where the state of South Dakota has absolutely no jurisdiction.”

Abortion rights advocates hope it won’t come to that.

The new law is scheduled to go into effect July 1st, but is likely to be suspended by a judge during legal challenges. In the meantime, the only abortion clinic in the state -- operated by Planned Parenthood -- remains open and continues to serve clients.

For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258