FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 22, 2022
The South Dakota Democratic Party Passes Resolution in Support of Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Sioux Falls – At the 2022 State Convention, the South Dakota Democratic Party passed a resolution to adopt a formal stance on abortion and other reproductive rights in South Dakota.
Pam Cole brought the resolution in support of abortion rights and other reproductive rights and in opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The resolution received a unanimous favorable vote plus a standing ovation.
“Reproductive freedom—including abortion—has been upheld twice by South Dakota voters statewide; once in 2006 and again in 2008. This resolution supports everyone’s right to make private reproductive healthcare decisions for themselves. It also calls for the removal of the anti-abortion ‘trigger law’ by embedding these human rights into our state’s Constitution,” said Pam Cole.
Resolution:
In Support of Abortion Rights and Other Reproductive Rights and in Opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Author/Source Name(s): Pamela Cole
Whereas: The Supreme Court has revoked people’s fundamental right to abortion via Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and triggered a near-total abortion ban in South Dakota;
Whereas: Roe v. Wade properly recognized and protected people’s autonomy and dignity, including their right to make their own decisions about pregnancy;
Whereas: The Dobbs’ ruling and South Dakota’s abortion ban deny people who can become pregnant their autonomy, dignity, and equality;
Whereas: South Dakota is a rural state, with limited access to healthcare on reservations and in small towns. Native American, rural, LGBTQ+, and other minority groups are most at risk of not receiving adequate healthcare, including comprehensive family planning resources;
Whereas: The voters of South Dakota considered and rejected two proposed abortion bans in 2006 and 2008 by a substantial margin; therefore
Be It Resolved: The South Dakota Democratic Party calls for restoring the right to self-determination and bodily autonomy by codifying Roe v. Wade in the South Dakota Constitution.
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