The ACLU of Michigan is gearing up to fight measures that would take away or limit a woman's right to an abortion in Michigan.
The ACLU's preparations come as a petition drive is underway that would ban dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions in Michigan. It's a procedure typically used in second trimester abortions.
Right to Life of Michigan says it has collected more than half of the signatures needed.
The ACLU of Michigan is taking the threat to abortion rights very seriously, said Merissa Kovach, the policy strategist for the civil liberties group.
"What Right to Life is doing is deeply unpopular. It's unconstitutional," said Kovach. "And as the ACLU, we're going to do everything we can, and consider every single tool we have in our tool belt, to fight what they're doing and preserve a person's constitutional right to an abortion."
Kovach said options on the table for consideration include a ballot initiative, legal challenges, and legislative advocacy. She said it was too soon to provide details about what form any of these options might take.
"We know the support for legal abortion is the highest it's been in two decades," Kovach said. "And the initiatives Right to Life is putting forth threaten to roll back 45 years of precedent."
"What's most important is that we ensure that every person's constitutional right to have an abortion and access abortion care when they need it is protected," said Kovach.
