NCJW Applauds Rejection of Abortion Ban in South Dakota

November 8, 2006, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) welcomes yesterday's victory at the polls that overturned the sweeping abortion ban imposed by the South Dakota legislature. NCJW President Phyllis Snyder released the following statement:

"We are heartened that the referendum on South Dakota's recently enacted abortion ban was defeated at the polls in yesterday's election. This win is an enormous victory for the effort to protect Roe v. Wade and the right of every American woman to make her own decisions about her health and family without the heavy-handed intervention of the government.

"Supporters of this ban hoped this vote would provide a vehicle for overturning Roe. Instead it marks the beginning of a new phase in the fight to safeguard abortion rights -- on the ground, as well as in Congress, in state legislatures, and in the courts.

"While we celebrate, we also know that this is hardly the end of the debate. In fact, ironically, the federal abortion ban is being re-argued in the Supreme Court today. Yet the significance of yesterday and its affirmation of women's rights -- particularly in one of the most conservative states on this matter -- is nothing less than historic. We applaud this victory and congratulate those whose hard work made it possible."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Vanessa Schnaidt
212 645 4048 x179; vschnaidt@ncjw.org