The recent closing of the last abortion clinic in South Dakota is a landmark for the pro-life movement in the United States. Since 1973, when Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, over 48,000,0001 babies have been killed, roughly three-quarters of the population of the United Kingdom.2
In 2005, a South Dakota law passed, obliging abortion doctors to inform women that abortion ends the life of a complete, distinct, and wholly living human being and could cause psychological instability. Due to an injunction because of an appeal, the law was only recently enacted. Unwilling to comply, the state’s last clinic closed its doors.
Pro-life efforts elsewhere are also succeeding. The number of nation-wide abortions has been steadily decreasing. In 2005, a record breaking year, 1.2 million babies were aborted, edging out the former lowest year, 1975 when 1.3 million babies were killed.3
South Dakota stands as an example to the world. With perseverance and determination, pro-lifers achieved what was seemingly impossible: making South Dakota the first abortion-free state.
Footnotes
- National Right to Life, http://www.nrlc.org/ABORTION/facts/abortionstats.html, Apr 27, 2007.
- The World Fact Book, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/uk.html, Jul 24, 2008.
- The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/16/AR2008011603624.html, Jul 30, 2008.