Rallies take aim at ND anti-abortion measures

Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D.

More than 300 abortion-rights activists carried signs and chanted, “Veto! Veto! Veto!” in a demonstration Monday at the state Capitol protesting a package of measures that would give the state the toughest abortion restrictions in the nation.

The newly formed Stand Up For Women North Dakota also planned rallies Monday in Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot, said Robin Nelson, one of the organizers of the demonstration.

North Dakota lawmakers moved Friday to outlaw abortion in the state by passing a resolution defining life as starting at conception, essentially banning abortion in the state. The North Dakota House approved the bill 57-35 Friday, sending it to voters likely in November 2014. The Senate approved it last month.

Representatives also endorsed two other anti-abortion bills Friday. One would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the disputed premise that fetuses feel pain at that point. Lawmakers also passed a measure that requires a doctor who performs abortions to be a physician with hospital-admitting privileges.