Dakotans for Health say anti-choice, anti-democracy forces trying to disrupt petition effort with complaint to AG
In response to recent allegations brought forward by South Dakota Right to Life and presented to the office of Attorney General Marty Jackley, Dakotans for Health has released an official response to the South Dakota attorney general.
Let me tell you what is actually going on here. We have hundreds of people, mostly young women circulating petitions and collecting signatures to restore reproductive rights in South Dakota. Then the “Decline to Sign” anti-choice, anti-democracy harassers literally follow our circulators around and call them baby killers and tell people not to sign.
Right to Life has of course not shown us the charges they have made or given us their so-called evidence and we are respectfully requesting that AG Jackley provide all evidence and material supporting these allegations so that we can respond appropriately. If a volunteer has not dotted an I or crossed a T somewhere we will address it and comply exactly with every part of the law. But it isn’t rocket science to understand that these anti-choice, anti-democracy charges are just another attempt to discredit our effort. They can try, but we believe they will have a very hard time convincing anyone that it is wrong to let the people decide.
Dakotans for Health seeks to uphold the citizen petition process that South Dakota established in 1889 and emphasizes the importance of letting South Dakotans decide on the pivotal issue of women's reproductive rights. Right now, South Dakota has among the most extreme anti-reproductive freedom laws in the country with no exceptions for women or children who have been victims of rape or incest. Under current law, the only exception for an abortion is if a woman or young child is actively dying.
While acknowledging disagreements regarding the reinstatement of reproductive rights, I emphasize the shared belief in respecting the petition process. I also want to highlight concerns about the Decline to Sign campaign led by South Dakota Right to Life and other groups, which has been reported to spread misinformation and intimidate volunteers.
No one can hide the fact that current South Dakota law says the only way a woman or young child, even one who is a victim of rape or incest can get an abortion is if they are actively dying.
Dakotans for Health stands firm in its belief that the people of South Dakota should have the right to vote on issues that critically affect them. In alignment with the state motto, “Under God the People Rule.”
Dakotans for Health is an organization dedicated to supporting and allowing South Dakota voters the opportunity to decide on vital issues impacting their lives. The group strongly believes in preserving the rights of South Dakotans to voice their opinions through democratic means.
Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls is a former congressional and U.S. Senate candidate, a former senior adviser to Sen. Tom Daschle, former FEMA Region 8 director and the co-founder of Dakotans for Health.
