Anti-abortion and abortion rights supporters rallied in front of the Madison Surgery Center Saturday in preparation for the UW Hospital Authority Board vote this Wednesday regarding the clinic’s decision to offer second-trimester abortions.
The clash came after the clinic’s announcement in December to begin performing second-trimester abortions after the only local provider stopped offering them due to the retirement of Planned Parenthood physician Dennis Christensen, according to NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and Foundation Executive Director Lisa Subeck.
The two sides met after anti-abortion activists gathered at Library Mall to listen to speakers. The group then proceeded to march down Lake Street to the MSC, where they met abortion rights supporters.
The two groups chanted back and forth across Regent Street for about 45 minutes before dispersing. The rally was mostly peaceful, although UW police were forced to block off part of Regent Street to prevent protesters from interrupting traffic.
“There hasn’t been a movement in the streets for women’s rights in decades. The (women’s rights) movement has been defensive. The movement’s been apologizing for its demands,” said Chris Dols, a UW senior and International Socialist Organization member.
Subeck said taking away the option of second-trimester abortion restricts women’s rights to be entitled to a full range of reproductive health care.
“Sometimes there is a medical complication discovered that they didn’t know about during their first trimester and sometimes people don’t have access [to abortion] during the first trimester,” Subeck said.
Anti-abortion advocate Haywood Robinson, a family physician from College Station, Texas, disagreed with the definition of health care outlined by abortion rights supporters.
Robinson argued abortion is not part of health care because pregnancy is not a disease. He went on to say abortions also put mothers at medical risk.
UW freshman Ethan Schuler said there are more appropriate choices.
“It’s a difficult situation for both parties. Everyone has difficulties and challenges and everyone has their cross to carry. Killing is not a way to get rid of that cross,” Schuler said.
Advocates on both sides expressed confidence the board will vote in their favor.
Subeck said she is confident they will earn a “yes” from the board, though the strength of the anti-abortion movement has been a force in Wisconsin for the past three decades.
“We don’t know what God’s plan is, but we have had indication that Meriter has had some hesitation,” UW alumna Laura Karlen said.
Dols is determined to keep the abortion rights presence strong.
“These are growing pains — the movement for abortion without apologies is back,” Dols said. “Anytime the right wing rears its ugly head, we’ll be here to counter their lies.”
The board will vote on the matter Wednesday. They will be the third body voicing an opinion on MSC’s decision, the previous two being in support of offering second-trimester abortions.
