A judge finds an 1849 abortion law doesn’t ban abortion after all.
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Wisconsin is never one to shy away from moral dilemmas or political debate. The current rift in the state around Roe v. Wade is no exception.
In June 2019, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 179, which would make abortion in Wisconsin illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Subsequently, Governor Tony Evers immediately vetoed the legislation, and since then the state has been unable to come to a consensus on when, if ever, abortion should be illegal.
Since the bill was vetoed, numerous pro-life and pro-choice groups have held rallies, organized petitions, and written articles in an effort to further their cause. To many, the argument feels a lot like a rehash of the Roe v. Wade case from 1973, in which the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a woman’s right to choose was protected under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.
Wisconsinites are understandably divided on the issue. Many pro-life advocates feel that to deny the unborn any protection from abortion is inhumane and should be strongly discouraged. On the contrary, pro-choice supporters in the state feel that the Roe v. Wade ruling still holds true, and that the right to choose should not be infringed upon.
This debate in Wisconsin highlights the ongoing disagreement nationwide on when, if ever, abortion should be illegal. It’s impossible to ignore the deep complexity of the issue on both sides, and while it can be difficult to come to a resolution that satisfies both sides, it is important to remember that Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision and should presumably be respected as such.
Wisconsin’s stance on Roe v. Wade remains unclear, and until a resolution is reached, both sides will doubtless continue to fight for their cause. In the meanwhile, Wisconsinites should feel both empowered and privileged to recognize the significant role the state is playing in the national abortion conversation.
