US governor tries to ban abortion

South Dakota’s governor today signed into law a bill banning nearly all abortions, in a move aimed at challenging the 1973 US Supreme Court decision that legalised abortion across the US.

The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion in the state unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman’s life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.

Planned Parenthood, which operates the state’s only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, immediately pledged to challenge the measure. That challenge could either be in court or by petition signatures to refer the measure to a statewide vote in which voters would be asked to repeal the abortion ban.

Governor Mike Rounds said in a statement that he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the US Supreme Court upholds it.

“In the history of the world, the true test of a civilisation is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them,” Mr Rounds said.

The governor declined all media requests for interviews tonight.

The abortion ban is to take effect on July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.

Mr Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Politicians said an anonymous donor has pledged money to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.

The governor today also signed into law the bill creating that special account.

Kate Looby, state director of Planned Parenthood, said the organisation has not yet decided whether to challenge the measure in court or to seek a statewide public vote in November.

A referendum would either repeal the abortion ban or delay a court challenge to the legislation.

“Obviously, we’re very disappointed that Governor Rounds has sided on the side of politics rather than on the side of the women of South Dakota to protect their health and safety,” Ms Looby said.

Leslee Unruh of Sioux Falls, founder of the Alpha Centre, a pro-life group that provides counselling to pregnant women and those who have had abortions, said the governor’s decision to sign the bill is a victory for women because abortion causs mental and physical harm to women.

“We are so excited. We’re ordering lobster and having a party. We are thrilled,” Ms Unruh said.

Under the measure, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.

Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses.

After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman’s health and safety.

About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics.