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John Daley ReportingAlice Ristroph, Assoc. Professor of Law, Univ. of Utah: "I think that it depends a lot on what happens in the next few years with who stays on the US Supreme Court."
An old battle reopens a protest here in Utah over moves elsewhere in the country to ban abortion. Supporters of a woman's right to an abortion are rallying this afternoon. Recent conservative appointments to the US Supreme Court are spurring lawmakers in some states to ban abortion. Advocates of abortion rights are raising red flags.
On many fronts, the abortion debate is gaining steam. A rally here today is the latest sign the fight over abortion is really in the states, which are imposing more limits than ever.
It might seem like the fight over abortion is more a national issue than a local one, but the landscape is changing, with rallies nationwide and debate raging in many states.
Karrie Galloway, Exec. Director, Planned Parenthood: "They would be striking it down at this point. It is no longer a case of whittling, of specific procedures that might be outlawed. We're talking about a facial challenge to Roe vs. Wade."
"They" would be the US Supreme Court, recently joined by two new conservative Bush appointees. The question is whether the court would strike down the landmark Roe versus Wade decision, which legalized abortion.
South Dakota lawmakers this week passed a law banning all abortions, including in cases of rape and incest and cases that threaten the health of the mother; the only exception is if the mother's survival is at risk.
Gov. Mike Rounds, (R) South Dakota: "For those individuals who truly believe that abortion is wrong, this is one way in which we can challenge the concepts and precepts found in Roe vs. Wade."
Alice Ristroph, Assoc. Professor of Law, Uni. of Utah: "I think it's pretty clear from the way the South Dakota law is written, it is intended to be a vehicle to get Rowe versus Wade overturned."
Last month, Utah lawmakers passed a bill requiring a minor seeking an abortion to get parental permission. The bill's sponsor says, as for pursuing an abortion ban here, he'll wait to see what, if anything, the Supreme Court does.
Rep. Kerry Gibson, (R) Weber County: "I think there is an appetite in this state to limit abortions in a lot of circumstances, and I would certainly be supportive of that."
Karrie Galloway, Exec. Director, Planned Parenthood of Utah: "Can we trust what those justices said in their confirmation hearings, that this is settled law?"
Another sign of the changing landscape, lawmakers in Tennessee took the first step today to amending that state's Constitution, so that it doesn't guarantee a woman's right to an abortion.
