MADISON — In response to plans by University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC) to perform second-trimester abortions, all are invited to a prayer and protest rally outside the Madison Surgery Center, 1 S. Park St., Madison, at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The demonstration, sponsored by Madison Vigil for Life, is scheduled to last one hour, but participants are invited to witness and pray for as long as desired. Unlike other Vigil for Life and 40 Days for Life endeavors, signs will be allowed. For parents intending to bring young children, be aware that it is possible some groups joining the demonstration may bring graphic signs with images of aborted babies.
According to a January 6 press release from the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), the recently exposed UWHC plans would create a full-service second-trimester abortion practice at the Madison Surgery Center, a joint venture of UWHC, UW Medical Foundation, and Meriter Hospital.
In response, ADF sent a letter asking UWHC to refrain from implementing its “secret and potentially illegal plans.” ADF has indicated the plan may include compelling unwilling employees to aid or participate in dismembering pre-born babies, which would violate their religious conscience rights, and may constitute unlawful state funding of abortion.
“Christians and other pro-life medical students and staff should be allowed to abide by their beliefs,” said ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman. “Pro-life employees shouldn’t be forced to violate their conscience by participating in the killing of preborn, developed babies. The university’s plan is morally and legally flawed and should be abandoned.”
“University of Wisconsin medical residents are expected to train and take part in the killing of the second-trimester babies,” the press release continued. “In recent years, UWHC researchers have experimented on almost fully formed body parts obtained from second-trimester abortions performed nearby, and now all of those abortions would be performed in UWHC’s joint venture. The plan would also include the abortion of disabled babies that already occurs at Meriter Hospital.”
In addition to sending its letter to UWHC, ADF also sent a copy to the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, which enforces new federal regulations designed to protect pro-life health care workers and medical students in federally funded programs. A copy of the letter can be found at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/UWHCDemandLetter.pdf
A January 6 press release from Pro-Life Wisconsin also urges those “alarmed by this plan” to call the CEOs of the three medical institutions involved to express their strong opposition. More information, including contact information and Pro-Life Wisconsin’s response to the exposure of the plans, can be found in their press release at www.prolifewisconsin.org/news_story.asp?id=238