On March 6, 2006, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds signed into law a bill that criminalizes all abortion. The ban does not make allowances for incest, rape or the health of a women. Physicians who are found violating this ban, even when in the interest of women’s health, will be criminally charged and prosecuted.

Even more insidious, this law can be found constitutional and valid, without ever challenging Roe v. Wade – the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that upheld a woman’s due process right to privacy. With this ban, South Dakota is the first state ever to legislate fetal rights, from the moment of conception, as equal to the rights of born persons. Embryos should in no way take precedence over a living, breathing, loving mother/daughter/sister/friend, already established on Earth. A woman’s right to her body, her life and her pursuit of happiness is fundamental as a human being in a free nation. South Dakota is valuing the womb over the woman.

In response, Northeastern Students for Choice is holding two events.

“Status of the Fetus: South Dakota’s Redefinition of Fetal Rights” will be a discussion with Dr. Eileen McDonagh, political science professor and pro-consent advocate on Thursday, April 13, at 3 p.m. in 435 Curry Student Center.

The following Wednesday, April 19, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Library Quad, we will host “A Showing of Solidarity” for women across the U.S. who are unable to receive standard health care because of the political war waged on women’s bodies.

Women have the right to life.

– Kate Rohdenburg is a third-year communications major and the president of Northeastern Students for Choice.