By Samantha Manning
An educational workshop concerning the issues of a federal abortion ban and women’s health in America was held Monday night with Lisa Anchin, the grassroots organizer for public affairs at Planned Parenthood of Nassau County.
Anchin began her speech with a summary of historical events related to a ban on abortion. She addressed the case of Roe v. Wade, along with the possibility of the decision being overturned in the near future.
Worksheets were handed out to students in order to provide a visualization of the sequence of events in abortion law-making history.
When the audience was presented with a picture of President George W. Bush signing the federal law banning “partial-birth” abortion in the second trimester of a pregnancy, both Anchin and the audience reacted in repulsion.
“This medical procedure is known as an ‘intact dilation and evacuation,'” said Cheryl Curry, a junior spokesperson for Women of Action. “By doing this, the courts have shown a blatant disregard for women’s health.”
Anchin openly expressed her opposition to the ban. “[The ban is an] infringement upon the right of the woman. It is astounding how unprecedented most of it is,” she said.
Discussions on women’s health also arose from among the group. Anchin explained that as a result of the ban, physicians now have to adjust their practices in order to comply with federal law. Health decisions are now being put in the hands of politicians, she added.
According to Anchin, politicians explain their support of the ban by stating that states should criminalize abortion in order to protect women from making decisions. Anchin then responded by quoting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who said politicians’ decisions deprive women “from making autonomous choices.”
“[Next year] is going to be the big year for abortion legislation,” Anchin said. She urged all students participating in her lecture to vote. “Every vote counts,” she said. Anchin added that our vote elects the president, the president appoints the justices, and the justices affect our rights. Therefore, without hesitation, people must contribute to the process of protecting their rights.
Anchin also attacked the ban’s disregard for medical exceptions, such as rape or incest. “The ban takes the decision out of the doctor’s hands and puts it in the hands of the politicians.” Politicians are now undermining circumstances that would normally cause doctors to possibly encourage the abortion procedure, she added.
Toward the end of the lecture, Anchin and other supporters urged students to participate in the protest against the abortion ban, and write to local or even non-local representatives.
Although there was a small turnout, Curry said background information on the current case was enough to provide people with the knowledge to understand the issues affecting them.
“Even for individuals who do not identify themselves as pro-choice, this decision has set up a dangerous precedent where the government can ignore doctor-patient confidentiality,” Curry said. “I would encourage everyone to voice their opinions.”

The audience, comprised mainly of Women of Action members, and Anchin engaged in a discussion about the disadvantages of a ban on abortion. (Jacqueline Hlavenka)