Recently, Wisconsin implemented one of the most restrictive abortion procedures bans enacted since the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade recognized abortion as a constitutional right in 1973.  Thompson signed the law and has been a vocal opponent of abortion rights and reproductive freedom.  Thompson also engineered Wisconsin's onerous welfare law.  The Wisconsin law kicked-off the trend of punitive welfare policies that attack women and their families for being poor.

   What:  Protest for Abortion Rights & to Stop the War on Poor Women

   Where: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Pennsylvania at 13th Street)

   When: Wednesday, June 24, 1998 4:00 pm

NOW plans a comprehensive campaign to change Wisconsin laws.  "NOW and NOW's PACs will target Wisconsin in the upcoming elections," said Ireland.  "In Tommy Thompson's Wisconsin, women can't win.  If you are poor, pregnant and have a baby, there is no safety net, no support from the state, no hope for getting up and out of poverty.  If you get pregnant and want to terminate your pregnancy, you may need to leave the state to get a safe, legal abortion.  Women are at risk no matter what decisions we make," Ireland said.

 Link to this release at http://www.now.org/press/06-98/06-22a98.html
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