KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY

One of the difficulties we've faced during the past years' attacks on abortion rights has been our crisis orientation. The compulsive pregnancy forces move. We find out. spring into action. Yet, over time we have been able to discern a clear pattern to their attack and now we should be better able to anticipate their moves.

(Reproductive Rights Newsletter, Summer 1978)

CHILDREN BY CHOICE

Photo by Mary Ellen Fleming

On September 10 approximately 600 women, men and children gathered in Akron to protest publicly the ordinance passed by that city's Council on February 28 of this year. Hearings on the constitutional status of this legislation which restricts women's access to abortions began on September 5. The ACLU succeeded in gaining a temporary restraining order against implementation of the law, and has joined with the National Abortion Rights. Action League and the American Public Health Association in filing for a permanent restraining order.

Representatives from an impressive number of groups were in Akron for the protest: Elsie Reaven, Akron City Councilperson; Judith Widdicombe, President of the National Abortion Federation; Karen Mulhauser, Executive Director of NARAL; Patricia Gavett, Executive Director of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights; Lee Novick, Coordinator of the Justice Fund of Planned Parenthood Federation; Helen Mulholland, State Coordinator of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights and Coordinator of Freedom of Choice-Ohio; Bill Baird, long-time abortion rights activist; and Deborah Bodansky, Vice President of NOW. I list these names and their respective titles in order to emphasize the extent of national support and commitment given to the struggle to maintain, or regain in some cases, our reproductive rights. The Akron, ordinance is actually greater than a singular threat to the women of one city; it symbolizes a larger power struggle that has seriously altered the position of feminists in this country.

In earlier years, we rose up proudly, on the offensive, bursting with energy and confidence. But in recent times we have been subjected to the growing, gnarled claws of repressive forces and unwittingly have found ourselves on the defensive. It seems that we are reacting, instead of calling the shots, watching the enemy and trying to forestall further damage to our strength as a unified

movement.

Since the passage of the Hyde Amendment, not Page 8/What She Wants, October, 1978

one state legislature has voted in favor of legislation allocating funds for abortions, including medically necessary ones. At the Federal level; the anti-choice forces have: (1) moved to restrict abortions for public assistance recipients as well as public service employees by attaching riders which prohibit abortion funding to a variety of bills concerning social service, defense and public service appropriations; and (2) moved to convene a constitutional convention (known as Con-Con) to pass a so-called Human Life Amendment to the Bill of Rights, which would grant

"We don't want to stop abortion for the poor, but for all women.

Rep. Henry Hyde

Sponsor of the Hyde Amendment

constitutional rights to a fetus from the moment of fertilization.

At the state and county levels, the anti-choice forces have (1) moved to deny funds for public aid abortions; (2) initiated restriction of funding of abortions for public employees; and (3) lobbied for legislation which would restrict access to abortion for all women by bills requiring informed consent, counselling on all stages of fetal development, and parental or spousal notification prior to the performance of an abortion. The "Human Life' Amendment' would not only outlaw abortions for all women; it would seriously threaten the right to contraception, specifically the use of any device which prevents conception after fertilization, i.e.,

Karen Mulhauser

Photo by Mary Ellen Fleming

intrauterine devices and the morning-after pill. In addition, under this proposed Amendment, a pregnant woman may no longer have access to amniocentises, a procedure which can detect fetal deformities in high-risk cases. The anti-choice forces already claim responsibility for persuading the March of Dimes to cut off their funding of amniocentises research and programs. They have moved to limit contraceptive availability for teen. agers, as well as sex education, since they say both factors contribute to youthful promiscuity. Those who never thought they had enemies are .beginning to realize they do, as the line between reproductive rights and civil rights fades and unifies all women. A recent HEW report estimates that since the passage of the Hyde Amendment, there has been a 98 percent decrease in federallysubsidized abortions. If the anti-choice forces were interested solely in restricting the rights of poor women, they would haye ceased organizing. In the

YOU WILL BEAR OUR CHILDREN COME HELL OR HIGH WATER!

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ABORTION CLINIC

Isis/LNS

words of Akron City Councilwoman Elsie Reaven, the abortion issue is but the "first link in a frightful chain'.

The most offensive provisions of the Akron ordinance include the following: (1) definition of "'unborn child" as a human being from the moment of conception until live birth; (2) 24-hour waiting period between consent of woman and performance of abortion; (3) 24-hour notice to one parent of a pregnant woman under 18 and, if not reached, 72-hour notice by certified mail unless the abortion is court-ordered; (4) written consent of parent for pregnant minor under 15 years; (5) detailed description of the "unborn child" at that particular point of gestational development, including appear. ance, mobility, tactile sensitivity (i.e., pain), percep tion or response, brain and heart function, presence of internal organs and external members; (6) presentation to the client of abortion as a major surgical procedure which can result in serious complications, such as hemorrhage, perforated uterus, infection, menstrual disturbances, sterility, miscarriage and prematurity in future pregnancies as well as severe psychological disturbances. Complications of pregnancy are not mentioned, including the fact that there are 3.2 deaths per 100,000 abortions, com; pared to 12 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The complications from abortion are magnified and distorted. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (Dec. 1977), prior-induced abortions are not related to low birth weight, premature delivery, still birth, neo-natal death, miscarriage or congenital malformations in subsequent pregnancies. Apparently, sterility can result from the rare incidence of pelvic inflammation following an abortion, which occurred much more frequently after a septic, illegal abortion. The psychological dimension is also misrepresented, since most women feel relief.

Karen Mulhauser of NARAL warned us clearly that the opposition will not be satisfied with an Akron victory, if indeed this could occur. Win or lose, their desperation is evident by a change in tactics; since NARAL organized, there has been a decrease in clinic violence as the opposition explores non-violent demonstrations in workshops. But for our side, the Pro-Choice movement, we are missing a crucial mandate from those who are not organized. Approximately one-third to one-half of those women receiving abortions today do not have the history of experience, of knowing what it was like not to have a readily available choice.

-Carol Epstein