SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – This year South Dakota voters were asked if they would approve a constitutional right to an abortion (Amendment G).
And, a majority of voters said no.
“I just think it was a broad spectrum of South Dakotans from all walks of life who once they learned about Amendment G, they just said, that’s too extreme for us,” Amendment G opponent, Jon Hansen said.
However, even after the election, Life Defense Fund still has an upcoming day in court with Dakotans for Health.
In June the anti-abortion group sued the group that put Amendment G on the ballot, on the grounds of invalid petition signatures.
“Our focus was to defeat Amendment G. So, you know, there’s still lawsuit hanging out around there so we’ll see how that wraps up, what goes on with that moving forward,” Hansen said.
The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2 when details will be available if the trial will continue.
During an email exchange between a Minnehaha County judge and both parties, the Life Defense Fund’s attorney Sara Frankenstein says abortion opponents will submit a summary judgment that would, “completely dispose of the case and any need for trial.”
As for Dakotans for Health, the group says the next step is advocating for Right to Life politicians to find a better way to address abortion rights in the state since that group claimed Amendment G’s wording was too extreme.
Amendment G supporter Rick Weiland said in a statement in part, “They promised they would find that better way, and now it’s time for them to deliver.”
If the trial proceeds, the first date is scheduled for January 27 and will last two weeks until February 7.
Read the full statement by Dakotans for Health below...
Rick Weiland, Co-Founder of Dakotans for Health, today issued the following statement in response to the results of yesterday’s vote on Amendment G and the ongoing fight for women’s reproductive rights in South Dakota:
“We fell short yesterday but make no mistake—this fight is far from over. The Right to Life politicians in this state made a three-million-dollar promise to the voters of South Dakota. They said Amendment G was too extreme, and that there was a better way to address the catastrophic consequences of the total abortion ban they put in place. They promised they would find that better way, and now it’s time for them to deliver.
To all of you who worked so hard to restore women’s rights—do not despair. You have forced these politicians to make a promise they can’t back out of. A promise to fix the mess their extreme total abortion ban has created. A promise to repair the damage to women’s health care. This is no small task, but it’s one they’ve committed to. Now, it’s their responsibility to keep it.
The campaign for Amendment G sparked a movement—a movement of women, young and old, who found their voice and stood up for their rights. They spoke out, they fought hard, and they will not back down. It is these women and their determination who will hold the politicians accountable to their word.
The message from South Dakota’s women is clear: ‘Either you end the ban and fix the healthcare crisis your promises created—promises you made with that three-million-dollar campaign on every billboard, phone call, and TV ad across this state—or we will be back, and we will do it for you.’
This is their fight now. It is time for a new generation of leaders to step forward, take on this battle, and ensure that women’s rights are restored. We are inspired by their courage and their unwavering determination. Their voices are raised, and their resolve is strong. They are ready to lead, to follow through, and to make sure that the ‘We will not go back’ chant echoes in the ears of every politician who has promised to undo the harm they’ve caused. We are confident that the fight for women’s rights will continue, and together, we will win.”
