Emily Wales takes over leadership of Planned Parenthood Great Plains — which operates clinics in Kansas, western Missouri, and other states — right as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to shrink abortion rights nationwide.
Retired Presbyterian minister Jay McKell places faith in the idea God wants women to freely exercise their right to make decisions about abortion without excessive government intrusion.
Christina Craig/Lawrence Times
Hundreds of community members and representatives of local organizations rallied at South Park on Saturday, urging Kansans to oppose a constitutional amendment that would remove legal protections of abortion in Kansas.
After a leaked U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the landmark case that promised women the right to abortion, an August vote to amend the Kansas Constitution over abortion has taken on heightened importance.
“Those who believe passionately in abortion rights will … need to build a movement sturdy, motivated and well-funded enough to battle for decades to come,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
The “Value Them Both” amendment would pave the way to a complete ban of abortion in Kansas despite language implying otherwise, panelists said Saturday. If the majority votes “yes” in August, legislators could ban abortions even in cases of rape, incest, and risk of death.
Douglas County Democrats
The Douglas County Democratic Party is holding an event this weekend to help inform the public about how to protect the right to an abortion in Kansas.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service
Abortion regulations in a law passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2011 have been thrown out by a Shawnee County judge who said they infringed on women’s access to care.
Kylie Graham / The Lawrence Times
As part of a nationwide movement Saturday, women of Lawrence gathered in support of reproductive rights and in protest of laws that aim to restrict abortions.
“Next summer, Kansas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would make a Texas-style ban (on abortion) plausible here. States across the country are watching, and women could pay the price,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column.
