ro-lifers and anti-abortion activists have ramped up their public fervor and overt demonstrations for the side of the issue they believe in over the past two weeks. Abortion never really wanes as a hot-button political and moral issue in America. And with news of a leak from a Supreme Court brief that the case (Roe v. Wade) establishing abortion rights might be overturned, the debate and demonstrations have gotten even more passionate and dangerous as protestors set up shop outside some of the Supreme Court justices’ homes. Sunflower County residents have been following the issue closely. “It’s extremely troubling to me that this leak has come from the Supreme Court,” said David Rushing, chair of the Sunflower County Democratic Party. “I believe it is a woman’s right to make her own decision and the decision that they make is between them and the God that they serve.”
Emma Golden, a local school board trustee agrees about the right to choose. She also demonstrated that there are circumstances that should be considered and responsibilities that should be taken. “If an abortion is necessary for health reasons, then I think a woman has the right to control her own body,” Golden expressed. “There are also times when you have to think about the health of the child.”
Years ago, one of Golden’s friends was informed by her physician that the child that the friend was carrying would have disabilities and developmental delays. “The doctor gave her the option of ending the pregnancy, but she chose to keep her baby,” Golden said. “And she has had some difficulty caring for the child and his health issues. That was her choice. But I don’t think that anybody should have an abortion because they later felt that they made a mistake. People already know what they are doing when they do what it takes to create a child. If there is a case of rape or a health issue, then I support people’s right to choose.”
Gallop News conducted a poll approximately 11 months ago asking Americans if they thought abortion should be (1) legal under any circumstance (2) legal only under some circumstances and (3) illegal in all circumstances. The results demonstrated that nearly seven in ten Americans support abortion rights in some form or fashion. About 19 percent of the respondents believed that there should be a complete ban on abortions.
“It’s a personal choice and should be an option in cases of rape and lower mental capacity,” said Renia Anderson, a registered nurse. “At what point does life begin? I believe it begins at conception and that’s the health care provider part of me speaking.”
Sunflower County residents providing their personal stances on the issue tend to reflect the sentiment of most Americans – keep abortion legal and consider the value of all life from conception forward.
“Access to abortion should be made available under certain guidelines,” said former Indianola Mayor Steve Rosenthal. “How can you be against abortion and against people who may need help later on in life?”
