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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 36 No. 5. 29 March 1973

Free Community Clinics Needed

Free Community Clinics Needed

With the recent Supreme Court ruling. U.S. laws are one of the most liberal in the world, virtually allowing abortions to be performed on demand up to the 24th week of pregnancy. However, medical fees in the States are high and many women, because of this, would not be able to take advantage of these laws. This points to the necessity of free, community clinics.

Winning the fight to repeal the abortion laws is a step towards women gaining control over their reproductive lives, which would easily be provided by the advanced technology of our society. Instead this simple, just demand has created a fury of debate and opposition from many quarters. The goals of the abortion movement are distorted and the issue confused with false philosophical and religious arguments.

There are a great many views on when human life begins. But while anyone is entitled to believe that human life begins before birth they have no right to use the laws to enforce this belief on others, forcing women to bear and raise children against their will. The anti-abortion forces seem to be more concerned with limiting the freedom of women and imposing their own moral code than with helping them.

The Women's Abortion Action Committee was formed out of a need to fight for women's basic rights, and to publicise and educate around the issue of abortion. With very limited finance two large demonstrations were organised last year by the Committee. An "arguments" leaflet was produced and a public teach-in/social evening was held. This year, since the abortion issue seems more favoured by the press, we hope to reach more people than was previously possible. As the group's name implies we are primarily an action group. We see large, broadly-based demonstrations e.g. marches and rallies, representative of as many groups and individuals as possible, as being one of the most effective ways to publicly show the support for our aims.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a tremendous step forward and we must ensure that the archaic N.Z. laws keep abreast of international rulings.

Demonstrate on April 13th to Repeal the Abortion Laws. Organising is underway for the march and rally, our first major activity this year. If you think the laws are unjust and want to do something about them come and help every Wednesday night 8.00 Activities Room.

Jacqueline McCluggage

(Women's Abortion Action Committee)