By: Elsie Holzwarth
After fifty years, choice relating to women’s reproductive rights is no longer a federal constitutional right. Abortion issues are now up to the states.
The WBAI has long been concerned with Illinois abortion legislation. Decades ago, the WBAI marched in Chicago on Mother’s Day with a banner that read, “Women for Reproductive Rights.” On January 21, 20l7, a WBAI contingent participated in the Women’s March in Grant Park attended by an estimated 250,000 people. After the leak of the proposed decision in Dobbs, the WBAI co-sponsored a Rally for Abortion Justice on May 14, 2022, at Union Park, Chicago, “to send a clear message to politicians who want to control our bodies and our lives.” Support was urged for Illinois HB 1464 to protect licensed abortion providers in Illinois from discipline if their license is disciplined or revoked by another state because they provided, authorized, or participated in any health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion.
After more than half a century, the fight continues.
The full version of this article was originally published in the WBAI Fall 2022 Newsletter on page 22.