Home : Reproductive Freedom

President Bush Signs Anti-Choice Measure Into Law; ACLU Decries New Law as Undermining Reproductive Rights (04/01/2004)
WASHINGTON - As President Bush today signed the so-called "Unborn Victims of Violence Act" at an elaborate White House ceremony, the American Civil Liberties Union expressed its dismay, saying that the Act is the latest addition to an ongoing assault on reproductive freedom, and that pregnant women could be protected without adopting the Act's approach of undermining the right to choose abortion.

"Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003" Faces Challenge; 2003 Law Bans Procedures as Early as 12-15 Weeks (03/29/2004)
New York -- Lawsuits challenging a federal law that bans abortions as early as 12 to 15 weeks in pregnancy begin today in federal courts in New York, San Francisco and Lincoln, Nebraska. The lawsuits are brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Wilmer Cutler Pickering LLP on behalf of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) and other doctors; the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Dr. LeRoy Carhart and other doctors; and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) on behalf of its member affiliates. The defendant is Attorney General John Ashcroft.

First-Ever Federal Abortion Ban Prohibits Safe, Medically Appropriate Abortions As Early As 13 Weeks in Pregnancy, ACLU Says as Trial Opens (03/29/2004)
NEW YORK -- On behalf of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) and several individual physicians, the American Civil Liberties Union begins a four-week trial today in its legal challenge to the first-ever federal abortion ban. This ban, signed into law in November, poses a significant threat to reproductive rights.

ACLU Calls Senate Anti-Choice Vote Misguided; Reproductive Freedom Could Be Undermined By Bill's Passage (03/25/2004)
WASHINGTON - Following the Senate's adoption of the so-called "Unborn Victims of Violence Act," the American Civil Liberties Union today called the measure an ill-advised assault on reproductive freedom, saying that pregnant women could be protected without adopting the bill's approach of undermining the right to choose abortion.

ACLU Promotes Awareness of Emergency Contraception on Third Annual "Back Up Your Birth Control Day" (03/22/2004)
NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union is proud to join a broad coalition of medical groups and women's health advocates today, the third annual ""Back Up Your Birth Control Day,"" to raise awareness about Emergency Contraception (EC).

ACLU Applauds CA Supreme Court Decision Promoting Women's Health and Ending Gender Discrimination in Insurance Coverage (03/01/2004)
SAN FRANCISCO - The American Civil Liberties Union and its California affiliates today hailed a decision by the California State Supreme Court upholding a California law requiring employers that provide prescription drug benefits to include contraceptive coverage.

As House Passes Fetal Rights Measure, ACLU Urges Senate to Reject Attempt to Undermine Reproductive Freedom (02/26/2004)
WASHINGTON - As the House of Representative adopted the so-called "Unborn Victims of Violence Act," the American Civil Liberties Union today called on the Senate to reject the measure, saying that pregnant women can be protected without adopting the legislation's approach of undermining the right to choose abortion.

ACLU Joins March for Women's Lives as Principal Organizer, Saying Reproductive Freedom is a Core Civil Liberty (02/23/2004)
NEW YORK -- In keeping with its longstanding commitment to protecting reproductive rights, the American Civil Liberties Union today announced that it is a principal organizer for the April 25th March for Women's Lives in Washington, the largest march for women's health and lives in history.

NYCLU Hails Victory For Students' Privacy Rights Following Lawsuit Over Forced Gynecological Exams (01/31/2004)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today announced that it has reached a settlement in its federal lawsuit against the U. S. Department of Education for illegally suspending a group of female students and requiring them to submit gynecological records as a condition for reinstatement.

On 31st Roe v. Wade Anniversary, ACLU Welcomes New "Freedom of Choice Act" to Protect Reproductive Freedom (01/22/2004)
WASHINGTON - On the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision, the American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed the introduction of federal legislation aimed at preserving reproductive rights in America. The "Freedom of Choice Act" was introduced in response to the continuing assault on reproductive freedom for American women, and calls upon Congress to preserve the right to privacy and a woman's reproductive options.

ACLU Calls on House Judiciary Committee to Protect Reproductive Freedom On Eve of Roe v. Wade Anniversary (01/21/2004)
WASHINGTON - On the eve of the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged Congress to oppose the so-called "Unborn Victims of Violence Act," which is scheduled for markup in the House Judiciary Committee this morning, saying that pregnant women can be protected without adopting the bill's approach of undermining the right to choose abortion.