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Pro-Choice debate ensues
By Lesley Christianson
 Media Credit: Adam Masloski People watch a video that had to do with the Roe vs. Wade decision in Atwood´s little theater last Thursday.
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Last week's Roe v. Wade 31st anniversary commemoration continued as NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota's executive director Tim Stanley spoke last Thursday in the Atwood Theatre.
Members of the audience included Professor Nancy Brennan's social work class, members of Students for Choice and various other community residents. Discussions ranged from the effects of Roe v. Wade to birth control to sex education and to the status of abortion in the legislature.
Stanley began his presentation by complimenting the university.
"I would like to give St. Cloud State kudos. There has not been another campus, year after year, that invites us to speak," he said.
The first part of his speech was devoted to the impact of the Roe v. Wade decision. Stanley mentioned several influences the landmark case had on America.
He said that 5,000 women died from illegal abortions in the 1960s. Prior to 1973 child bearing was a public mandate, whereas today, women have a choice. He also stressed that the case did more than legalize abortion.
"Roe v. Wade was a building block of the right to privacy. That is something that we're here today to celebrate," he said.
Although half of the theater's seats were empty, conversation was neither dull nor slow after Stanley invited audience members to ask questions and offer opinions. Discussions gradually turned from historical implications to present politics.
"We have, right now, a president who wants to roll back the clock," Stanley said.
He heavily criticized President Bush's actions against abortion during his administration.
"Why do we take any comfort in the fact that this president wants to ban abortion?" he said.
Stanley also disapproved of the recent passing of the Woman's Right to Know Bill, the Partial-Birth Abortion ban and the still debated Taxpayer Protection Act, calling it the "Super Gag Rule." The bill would exclude a variety of state funds from going to any organization that: provides abortion services, is an affiliate of an organization that provides abortion services, publicly advocates abortion, refers patients for abortions or those that counsel women on abortion. Stanley said the bill could impact funding for organizations such as the Women's Center, MnSCU, battered women shelters and rape crisis lines.
"Washington is not in good shape," Stanley said. "Minnesota is not much better off." He said that 70 percent of government officials in Washington and 60 percent of Minnesota officials are anti-abortion.
"If we are to stop this law (the Taxpayer Protection Act); one, we will be very lucky, and two, we will do it by only a few votes," Stanley said. "I have no crystal ball, so this is just my prediction: Roe v. Wade won't be overturned as the first step. They (legislators) will take little steps."
He said that Roe v. Wade guaranteed government neutrality in reproductive rights of women but claimed this neutrality is being threatened. "Taking the judgment out of the hands of doctors and placing it in the hands of the government is a slippery slope as far as I'm concerned," Stanley said. "I trust doctors, I trust nurses, and I trust women to make these decisions, not the government."
One of the three men in attendance, SCSU sophomore Jeremy Sarder, said he agreed with some of the ideas that Stanley mentioned. Sarder said that he wasn't surprised by the claim that a majority of government officials were anti-abortion.
"This is mainly a women's issue, so when men vote, they're concerned with other issues," Sarder said. He also said that he didn't think men should have a say in a woman's reproductive choice.
The hour and a half long discussion came to an end with Stanley's announcement of the NARAL sponsored March for Freedom of Choice planned for April 25.
"Our goal is to bring 1 million people to the mall in Washington," Stanley said. "Right now, Roe v. Wade hangs by one vote. The March on Washington is going to tell President Bush that we are ready to fight for a woman's choice."
SCSU junior and member of Students for Choice Amanda Danzeisen said she enjoyed the discussion.
"He's a really good speaker. He just tells it how it is. He doesn't try to push you to the other side, he just states the facts," Danzeisen said.
Through working with Students for Choice, Danzeisen has experienced some negative opinions.
"Pro-choice people are not baby killers. We just feel women have the right to have options."
Students for Choice is organizing transportation to Washington for the March for Freedom in April. Danzeisen estimated expenses at $150 per person, but said that fund-raising efforts are trying to bring the cost down.
The event was sponsored by the SCSU Women's Center, SCSU Students for Choice, Central Minnesota Citizens for Choice and the SCSU Women's Equality Group.
Buttons are available for $1 to support the march. For more information about the March for Freedom of Choice visit www.mnmarchforchoice.org.
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