MADISON — Hundreds of pro-lifers from across the state gathered on the steps of the State Capitol in Madison on September 24 at the Wisconsin March for Life to celebrate a victory and to declare their battle not over yet.
The celebration was over the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization decision on June 24 which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that had declared abortion a right in the United States, thus preventing states from enacting or enforcing laws that heavily restricted or banned access to abortion.
While specifics over how states were allowed to regulate abortion changed with subsequent court decisions, abortion was treated as a protected human right under the law in the United States for almost 50 years.
With the Dobbs decision, the legality of abortion is now up to the states. The status of abortion law in Wisconsin is unclear as there is an 1849 and a 1985 law which contradict each other. In practice, though, all regular abortion providers in Wisconsin have ceased operation for the time being due to the potential threat of prosecution.
Speaker statements
“[The overturning of] Roe v. Wade gave us an opportunity to celebrate, but only for a moment, because there is so much work to be done,” declared Cindy Werner during her speech at the march. She is running for lieutenant governor in Wisconsin.
“I need you to encourage our legislators to get behind what we are doing and make personhood for the unborn a reality because this is the time. This is the day,” she said.
“Lives are being saved,” said Steve Karlen of 40 Days for Life. “Abortion workers are finding new work. The busiest abortion facility in our state is up for sale, but we’re not done yet. There are people in this building working very hard to bring abortion back to Wisconsin.“
“The time is now for us to praise God, to thank God, and to also do everything that we can to continue to make this nation pro-life once and for all,” said Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, before leading those who had come to the march in prayer. “Like I said, I’m hopeful, and so let’s keep that hope alive.”
UW-La Crosse Students for Life President Jayda Bushor said, “Now is the time to put our work into action. We need to support women through pregnancy resource centers, free babysitting, making meals, electing officials who will support pro-woman and pro-life policies, advocate for paid maternity leave, and work to shut down the misinformation in healthcare.”
She added, “Right now, there are many people in fear, especially women, fear that they won’t be treated for an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriages, fear that they will die because of medical professionals not understanding the truth of the law. We need to walk with them through their fears and hold their hands and show them that they are not alone. Up until this point, the pro-life movement has been a lot of talking the talk. Now it is time to walk the walk with them.”
Other speakers included U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman, State Representative Chuck Wichgers, Post-abortive mother Albany Rose Saindon, and Executive Vice President of the St. Thomas More Society Andrew Bath.
Counter-protest
Toward the bottom of the steps leading up to the capitol, a few hundred counter protestors had gathered, chanting things like “Abortion rights are under attack. What do we do? Stand up. Fight back,” “Free abortion on demand. Can we do it? Yes we can,” and “‘Pro life’ is a lie. You don’t care if people die.”
They used megaphones and set off occasional sirens to try to drown out the pro-life speakers. Some in the group circled around the pro-lifers and occasionally stepped into the pro-life group.
Despite these disruptions, things remained relatively safe and peaceful.
Saindon commented, “They’re trying really hard to make sure you can’t hear us, but I have four kids and I can talk really loud!”
After the speeches, the pro-life group marched around the Capitol while the counter-protestors marched away toward State St.
Grothman stated in his speech that pro-lifers “have to redouble our efforts to persuade the public to be pro-life.”