Abortion-rights advocates threaten to boycott S.D.

[sarahlee]

:thumbsup: The boycott is starting to work. Got some attention in the Rapid City, SD paper.

RAPID CITY — The South Dakota Legislature’s passage of an abortion ban bill prompted an angry reaction from abortion-rights supporters who vowed to boycott the state’s tourism industry.

The state Department of Tourism received a dozen e-mails and a number of angry phone calls Friday from abortion-rights supporters who say they will not vacation in South Dakota.

A Madison, Wis.,-based group has formally called for a boycott of South Dakota tourism. In a news release titled “Bypass South Dakota!”, the Women’s Medical Fund urged supporters to steer clear of South Dakota.

“All kinds of families visit Mount Rushmore every year. It’s a favorite of Americans and foreign tourists. But we can do without Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands and the Corn Palace,” Anne Gaylor, director of the Fund, wrote. “We are encouraging all groups who care about women’s rights to urge their members to bypass South Dakota.”

Billie Jo Waara, head of the state office of tourism, said her office has been hearing from people throughout the country.

“They have commented on the fact that the state is a great destination for travel, but our current political situation doesn’t match their agenda,” Waara said.

Waara said she was unsure exactly how many phone calls the Tourism Department has received. She confirmed that the agency got 12 e-mails, a small number compared with the Tourism Office’s daily e-mail traffic.

Come On! Only 12 emails? :banghead:
I know the folks here at DU can do better than that!

She hasn’t heard of anyone canceling trips that were already planned for South Dakota; the callers and e-mailers are instead saying they won’t make plans to visit the state.

“Certainly, this is an important issue for South Dakota, an important issue for our country. Our state’s leadership (Legislature) is taking their position, and we’ll have to determine what impact this will have on our industry,” she said.

More at the Rapid City Journal site
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/02/25/news/top/news02.txt

More on the boycott and who and where to write:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3294

I will be updating some information at the above link so it does not get lost over time and new postings.

[imouttahere]

1. While I am a big believer in exactly these types of boycotts....

I have to wonder how much impact it would have. It's like red-staters boycotting France, as if they were buying French products or traveling there to begin with. Come on, DUers, how many of you were planning a trip to Rapid City???

That being said, I say boycott away!

[mindem]

2. It's an odd situation

I used to live and perform in the Black Hills before moving back to Minnesota and have found that I really miss the Hills. I was in the process of getting ready to move my music business back to the area but now those plans have changed. I always new that South Dakota tended to lean to the right but this is way over the top. I guess I'm stuck in Minnesota for a while.

[Olney Blue]

4. It wouldn't hurt to let SD know this. They are clearly losing out

with your decision not to move back.

How can SD legislators be so arrogant?

[kevinbgoode]

32. Maybe the legislature was offered a "faith-based" grant

from the Bush Administration. Some states, like the wingnut churches, willingly take any crust of bread.

I thought someone around here said that Native Americans in South Dakota have been urging a tourist boycott for some time too...over...something...like land use or ownership. Perhaps we should look into connecting with them.

Otherwise, it might be an interesting idea to come up with a petition to demand Mt. Rushmore be MOVED. . .claiming that none of the Presidents on that mountain would have ever put up with rolling back American freedom.

[Olney Blue]

65. I hear the UAE has excellent moving companies.

:)

[Katherine Brengle]

12. Write an email and tell them that! (I am posting the address...)

[e-mail]

I am going to hunt around for other contacts. I will post them soon.

Please write and tell them what you told us--it can't hurt, and it might just help.

[mindem]

21. I think I will drop a note.

This is a perfect example of the far rights mentality - "to hell with everything else - all that matters is what we want". I'm sick to death of other people cramming stuff down our throats.

[Katherine Brengle]

26. very good! n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

67. Same here

Good grief if you don't want an abortion just don't have one! Oy!

[IsItJustMe]

85. I emailed them and said

I wanted to visit Mount Rushmoore; but the problem is that I have a wife and two daughters. I didn't want to expose them to a state where they treated women like second class citizens.

[sarahlee]

86. Not even second class citizens

.....More like incubators for fetuses.

[nolies32fouettes]

47. Look at some of the different opinions here:

http://www.progressiveu.org/094027-the-assault-on-womens-rights-and-abortion-has-begun


there's clearly a lot of emotions on both sides of the spectrum about this.

[sarahlee]

61. More that just SD at stake

Remember that there are other states with similar legislation waiting in the wings. If we make it bad enough for SD to do this, then we have a wedge with them. Because it has such a small population and the economy is so very dependent on tourism and a very few industries, this may be the easiest one to turn around.

[nolies32fouettes]

62. I know. But that one poster

is worried about politness of all things!

[FreedomAngel82]

70. That amazed me

Good grief. Much more is at stake then politeness. :eyes:

[nolies32fouettes]

75. well, at the point that she's worried about politines

she doesn't understand that rape is not a polite activity.

and any response to rape that is full of anger or despair is a consequence of the betrayal and the lack of politeness. (yes..a little understatement and sarcasm!)

[Katherine Brengle]

93. That was interesting...

I can't help it, but it always strikes me as interesting how pro-choice arguments seem so much more compassionate and thought-out...

Of course, I am biased, but I really have noticed that.

[kestrel91316]

59. Stay in MN, where you can make a difference. SD is a LOST CAUSE........

besides, you want to be voting for Dr. Ford Bell for US Senate, right?

We need a DEMOCRATIC veterinarian in the Senate for a change. The two in there right now are both Repukes.

[JVS]

5. Other than Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, I can't think of any...

reason to be there

[Critters2]

37. Sturgis

A helluva lot of people go to Sturgis. A Sturgis boycott would hit 'em where they live My advice is to contact the Sturgis city government or Chamber directly, then let them put pressure on the legislators.
I'll look for that info.

[sarahlee]

57. Contact info here and Don't forget Sturgis Sponsors

The City of Sturgis
Rally Department
1147 Sherman Street Ste. #201
Sturgis, SD 57785
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

And the web site:

http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/

Also their are 19 very large corporations which will be sponsoring the rally along with 100's of others.

Ford, Harley Davison, Geico, Snap On, Coca Cola, Jack Daniels just to mention a few.

This is a big big deal to South Dakota every August.

If you want to hit them hard contact your local Harley Owners Groups who attend every year and get them on board with us. Then contact the advertizers...any big advertizers who pulls out will make a difference.

[ismnotwasm]

68. Wow

Thank you for that, all I was thinking was SD, I wasn't thinking of Sturgis at all. I have a lot a friends who go. I will Email, write and call!
Damn! I can't BELIEVE I forgot Sturgis! SD gets lots of revenue from that event.
Thank you again...

[Katherine Brengle]

95. Listings of local H.O.G. Chapters-------

List, alphabetical by state

[Katherine Brengle]

97. I just emailed the directors, asst. directors, secretaries, activities

officers, and LOH officers of every chapter in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

I'm going to continue to other states, but I hope that others will do the same. Here is the sample text of my letter:

Dear _________:

I am writing to ask you to reconsider your H.O.G. chapter's planned trip to the rally in Sturgis this August. As you may know, South Dakota is in the process of passing a piece of serious anti-choice legislation that does not include exceptions in the cases of rape or incest.

Pro-choice Americans are in the process of organizing a major boycott of goods and services from South Dakota, and we are focusing most on the state's tourism industry. The annual Sturgis rally brings a huge amount of money into the state, and we need to hit them where it hurts.

We have also contacted the Sturgis Rally Department to suggest moving the event to a different location this year, as a clear reminder to the state of South Dakota that women in this country are free to make their own decisions without the interference of the federal government.

We hope that you will stand with us in this fight.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Katherine Brengle

[sarahlee]

98. Cross posted in the Choice Forum

Took the liberty of posting here as well:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3369

My sister said she talked about this to a friend who is in a women's bike club in Texas. Most of their members generally come to Sturgis each year and they agreed that they will not come if the Governor signs the bill. They said that they would write the tourism dept. on their club stationery to tell them of their plans and would do what they could to spread the word.

[Katherine Brengle]

94. Okay, I wrote to the rally dept, now I am searching for local groups--

anyone else found any yet? We should keep our results posted for everyone to see.

[sarahlee]

60. Sturgis Stats - $596,246 collected in sales tax

Sturgis is a little over 6000 residence but last year the rally itself attracted 1,013,017
people.

I'd venture to say that a whisper to these Harley Owners Groups H.O.G will make some big noise to the local area chamber of commerce.

More Sturgis statistics - this is not going to format well, the stats are on the website so you can check it out the PDFs in their FAQ's area:
http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/survey.html



50th 60th 62nd 63rd 64th 65th

Description 1990 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005
Estimated Attendance 400,000 633,000 450,000 502,000 514,951 525,250
Tons of Garbage Hauled 408.88 769.55 499.28 706.77 705.87 795.18
Marriage Licenses Issued 179 197 110 100 133 109
Vendor Licenses Issued - Sturgis 243 943 806 848 863 901
Vendor Licenses Issued - Meade Co. 307 187 136 165 222 287
Rally Related Deaths - SD per SD Highway Patrol &
Meade Co. Sheriffs Office
11 10 8 6 4 6
Parking Tickets - Sturgis Police Dept. 359 179 209 221 273
Felony Drug Arrests - Sturgis Police Dept. 56 8 8 16 17
Misdemeanor Drug Arrests - Sturgis Police Dept. 307 111 84 97 110
Arrests for Non-Traffic Violations - Sturgis Police 264 250 230 248 258
Traffic Violations - Sturgis Police Dept. 500 149 172 145 115
Jailed - Meade Co. Sheriff 111 140 374 405 448
Calls for Service - Meade Co. Sheriff 1150 1119 1228 1441 1197
Hospital Emergency Room Visits 390 292 334 340 317
Taxable Sales / Temporary Vendors 3 mil 14.3 mil 13.1 mil 14.8 mil 16 mil 14.9 mil
SD State Sales Tax Collected 177,000 573,000 522,473 594,812 640,523 596,246
Sturgis City Sales Tax Collected 59,000 286,000 259,106 279,790 303,894 268,711
SD Dept of Tourism Tax Collected 0 143,000 129,856 147,766 158,979 148,060
*Sales Tax collection decrease of 7% from 2004
Attendance increase of 2% from 2004
236,000 1,002,000 911,435 1,022,368 1,103,396 1,013,017

[liberalhistorian]

7. Actually, it would have a tremendous

economic impact on the state. The Black Hills area, where Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mt. are, and where Rapid City is near, is one of the main tourist destinations in the country, with the state and businesses and citizens taking in billions of dollars from late spring through early fall each year.

The yearly motorcycle rally in Sturgis, a small town near Rapid City and the Hills, now attracts upwards of 70,000 bikers from all over the country and pours several hundred million dollars into the economy in just the few weeks in August when it is held. So, yes, a boycott would have a serious economic impact in the state and particularly in my area, Rapid City and the Black Hills.

[imouttahere]

77. But the question is, are the people that are traveling there....

the boycott type? I'd be willing to bet that a majority of people who travel to SD for a vacation are conservatives, or at the very least, would not be willing to boycott the state over this issue, you know, fence-sitters and the like.

[liberalhistorian]

82. Why would you think that?

All kinds of people come to the Hills, not just conservatives, not by any means.

And the Sturgis bike rally, just how many of the 70,000+ attendees do you think are conservatives?

[Katherine Brengle]

96. I don't think I've ever met a conservative biker... lol. n/t

[AllegroRondo]

110. Except for the rich "I gotta own a Harly cuz they're cool" ones

like Aaaahnuld.

[sarahlee]

84. I came up every summer

for six years before moving here. I came for ceremony on the reservation, but often took my daughter over to the hills for some fun before heading home.... which we generally did the long way through Wyoming and Colorado. People coming for ceremony won't stop coming, but they pretty much camp for free, bring most of their food and spend money on ice and food they run out of and gas on the reservations. No big chain stores there, though the states will get some of the sales tax.

[Katherine Brengle]

17. Regardless of our plans, if we really do this, the fear could be enough--

Tourism accounts for over a billion dollars in state income each year in South Dakota. If we can get a serious letter writing and phone call campaign running, they might just get worried enough to scrap the law.

[Clark2008]

20. Point of order: it's red VOTERS

I live in a red state, thus, I'm a red-stater, but I don't VOTE red.

Please, not everyone who lives in the South and mid-West is an idiot. :grr:

[NuttyFluffers]

105. it's a red state -- of mind :D

i love how janeanne garofalo keeps saying that. even in my beautiful SF area we have our "red staters." hate and cruelty knows no physical landscape, only the dark recesses of the closed heart.

:) we know the whole state isn't filled with such meanness, but it's just a vernacular term. i'd prefer if we get in the habit of always tacking on "-- of mind" each time we say red/blue state, but know that most of us know there's good folk everywhere.

ps: SD was a beautiful state, very memorable when i visited. rushmore, badlands, all the caves, pretty sky and open spaces, great place to collect rocks, some nice people, etc. it's just too %*&^%&^% cold, but you already knew that. :7 i'm a wuss when it comes to cold weather below 40 degrees. :+

[FreedomAngel82]

66. Well if you want to change things

sometimes a boycott is the only way. Remember when we were fighting the British for our independence and how we boycotted their products specifically tea. So it does work if you're organized and get people to do it. I think if this goes around in other states it will backfire. I hope anyways.

[dflprincess]

87. My friends and I were talking about going out to Deadwood this spring

Just for a long weekend, but that trip has been shelved. And, I bought my last car from a dealer in Sioux Falls (got a much better deal than I could get around here) and the dealer brought the car to Minneapolis. I'm not in the market for a new car this year, but even if it costs me I'll think twice before I buy anything in SD.

I emailed the SD tourism and governor offices to tell them this. And, don't forget Sturgis - there may be some people who choose to skip that.

[SPKrazy]

106. Won't Stop Me From Visiting Mt. Rushmore If I Want To!

that being said, what a bunch of hooey the SD legislature has done.

[donsu]

3. if this goes through I think people should hound the Gov. and the

reps and sens. 24/7 365 and make their lives hell. as hellish as it will be for women.

[mac56]

6. South Dakota would have nothing if it weren't for tourism.

A couple of military bases, but even those aren't as lucrative as tourism to that state. Everyone in SD basically drops to their knees and give thanks every morning for Mount Rushmore.

If they started to suffer in the tourism department, that would put a big hurt on the economy.

[sarahlee]

8. I agree

Currently South Dakota's 5th largest single employer is Citibank - only Ellsworth AFB and three hospitals are larger. Economically, it's a big deal in South Dakota, having spawned a number of support businesses

[Critters2]

41. There's a little thing called "agriculture",

or do you grow, harvest and process your own corn flakes?

[mac56]

49. I don't think we can exert much impact on SD agriculture

unless your last name is Cargill. It isn't, is it?

We can, however, have some influence on tourism dollars. Tell you what - while I'm NOT VISITING Mount Rushmore or the Black Hills - I promise to NOT BUY ANY SWEET CORN from any South Dakota roadside stands either. Fair enough?

[sarahlee]

91. Agree it is a significant agriculture state

With only two "cities of significant populations" the state is predominately rural. I believe the sunflowers, beef, corn and wheat are the ag leaders. But the state really does live off of tourism and the Sturgis rally is a huge part of those dollars.

[demosincebirth]

9. Whats there to boycott in SD?

[Katherine Brengle]

10. Does anyone have the email addresses we can send angry letters to?

[sarahlee]

14. Keeping info dated in the Choice Forum

Keeping info dated in the Choice Forum at
South Dakota - Talk $$$

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294

Keeping it there should make sure it can still be found in a couple of days.

If anyone wants to cross post info to this topic that would be great.

[sarahlee]

109. Katherine - Good piece in OpEd News

Katherine wrote a good article on the boycott at OpEd News. Read it here:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_katherin_060227_changing_the_scene_3a_.htm

Thanks for all your efforts on this, Katherine! :loveya:

[Katherine Brengle]

11. Okay, done. We need to get on this--we should be able to scrounge up at

least a few hundred emails (at a minimum) just from DUers alone.

[sarahlee]

13. Please Reccomend

:cry: Recommend Topic for Greatest Page (0 votes)

[electron_blue]

15. Try posting this in the activism forum

And, btw, I emailed them that I won't be taking any vacations in SD anytime soon.

[sarahlee]

36. Just did

Thanks for the suggestion.

And thanks for your email!

[ismnotwasm]

69. You have enough now,

But another from me, and an extra kick. Excellent work!

[sarahlee]

73. Thank You! n/t

[Katherine Brengle]

16. List of contacts in South Dakota

SD State Legislature Listings

Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates
Daphne Richards-Cook, Executive Director [e-mail]
Erin Janis, Financial Manager [e-mail]
522 7th Street, Suite 210
Rapid City, SD 57701
[phone], phone
[phone], fax
www.attatribal.com

Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association [e-mail]
1851 Discovery Circle
Rapid City, SD 57701
[phone], phone
www.blackhillsbadlands.com

Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association [e-mail]
PO Box 244
1200 33rd Street SE
Watertown, SD 57201-0244
800-244-8860, phone
www.sdglaciallakes.com

Great Lakes of South Dakota Association
PO Box 786
210 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
888-386-4617, phone
www.sdgreatlakes.org

Southeast South Dakota Tourism
800 Mariner Lane, Suite 104
Yankton, SD 57078
888-353-7382, phone
[phone], fax
www.southeastsouthdakota.com

Travel Industry Association of America
1100 New York Ave., NW Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005-3934
[phone], phone
[phone], fax
www.tia.org
www.seeamerica.org

Deer Mountain Ski Area
PO Box 622
Deadwood, SD 57732
888-410-3337, phone
www.skideermountain.com

Department of Game, Fish and Parks [e-mail]
523 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-3182
Hunting & Fishing: [phone], phone
Parks: [phone], phone
www.sdgfp.info/parks/recreation

Great Bear Ski Area Contact Form
5901 East Rice Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
[phone], phone
www.greatbearpark.com

South Dakota Tourism
(see also "State Agencies")
Sno Wats: 1-800-445-3474
1-800-S-DAKOTA (1-800-732-5682)
www.TravelSD.com

Terry Peak Ski Area
PO Box 774
Lead, SD 57754
[phone], phone
Snow Conditions: 1-800-456-0524
www.terrypeak.com

[Katherine Brengle]

18. kicking

[Katherine Brengle]

19. and again...

[sarahlee]

22. Anti-women forces in South Dakota

The Anti-women forces in South Dakota have been working for 20years and the only people consistently fighting these people over the years have been Jennifer Ring(ACLU) and Kate Looby(PPMNS). Recently over 250 women turned out to lobby the state legislature on womens rights issues. Many of the legislators were such cowards they hid in the bathroom of the state capital trying to avoid talking with these women.

http://sdanw.org/4women/

[Hardrada]

23. And Wall Drug too.

[Shelor]

24. We need a DU list of S. Dakota-based businesses to boycott

[sarahlee]

27. Contact Lists

Katherine Brengle put up a good list here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3320


I added and duplicated some here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3324


Trying to keep the most needed info co-ordinated at
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Choice » South Dakota - Talk $$$
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294

[progressoid]

25. Let's do this people. Lets push this on other forums too.

I have to travel to SD for business occasionally. The western end of the state is very tourist driven.

Send a message to the Governor Rounds:

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/Main/forms/RequestForm.asp

[High Plains]

28. A tourism boycott centered on the Sturgis rally needs to be

loudly announced. Let 'em sweat all summer.

[High Plains]

30. Some strategically placed billboards mights be helpful

...say just outside the South Dakota borders, something like

"Boycott South Dakota--Next Pro-Choice Exit 375 miles"

[sarahlee]

45. Saw that idea at Kos

I like your wording better. I also like a slogan I saw for bumper stickers aimed at the beef producers: "I have a beef with South Dakota"

[mzmolly]

29. Perhaps we should involve moveon?

:shrug:

[Katherine Brengle]

31. this is a good idea--does anyone have a contact there?

I can only find a comment area where you can send comments or suggestions--a direct contact would be much more beneficial.

[mzmolly]

33. I'm going to PM you what I've found.

:hi:

[SammyWinstonJack]

34. .

:kick:

[DanCa]

35. We should picket RW churches this Sunday.

Imagine if DU as a whole hand linked around the arch diocese of South Dakota? It would be a great symbolic gesture to tell the right wing bullies to back off and stop interfering with the constitutional rights of Americans everywhere. I know that I am probably pipe dreaming but we still have freedom of thought in this country, at least for now. Note I am not picking on left leaning Christians, I am a left leaning christian, I just think it's time that we took an active roll protesting the religious right for a change?

[mitchtv]

38. It's time to picket them, complete with big lurid photos

of Iraqi children maimed, by their holy war ginst terra, since they care soooo much 'bout children.

[Initech]

39. Phelps style?

[DanCa]

46. Fight fire with fire!

If we start picketing Phelps church he would back off real quick too. Phelps is a bully, and if you break a bully's nose once he'll back off.

[Initech]

81. Amen to that!

Maybe we should organize DU groups to travel to Westboro, Kansas to routinely picket the Phelps compound and hold signs similiar to his.

[DanCa]

83. Have baseball bat will travel to Westboro.

And in Phelps case we could really call my bat a louisville slugger.

[Critters2]

40. [e-mail]

is the way to reach the organizers of the Sturgis Rally. If they get enough e-mail, they could be made more than a little nervous.

[rg302200]

58. Here is their actual email...I just emailed them myself.

[e-mail]

[Kolesar]

42. I love vacationing in the prarie states & I can pick another

Prarie states may not have coasts and mountains, but they have an interesting ecosystem with interesting plants and animals. The migratory birds find the lakes that are there. The skies and storms are wonderful viewing.

A boycott like this would take a lot of work to think out and implement. I can think of one model: The outdoor goods industry threatened to pull their convention out of Utah if Utah put in some antienvironmentalist or "bad land use" law several years ago.

[Critters2]

50. Just e-mailed

[e-mail] and blackhills.com, telling them we won't be vacationing there this summer. I pointed out that I have friends in both Rapid City and Sioux Falls, but won't visit them this year. And that we will be traveling to NW Iowa, but will NOT cross the border.

If they get enough such e-mails...

[Kolesar]

51. T R Roosevelt NP in ND is pretty interesting

A flood after a glacial gravel bar broke created a huge badlands. We saw bison, antelope, a mountain lion, and prarie dogs galore. The numbered nature hike in the north unit is delightful. You get a brochure and follow the markers. I still remember gramma grass.

Just keep your emails polite, folks. :)

[Katherine Brengle]

43. I just contacted MoveOn to ask if they would be interested in helping

get the boycott rolling.

I'll keep y'all posted.

[Katherine Brengle]

89. Okay, the woman from MoveOn wrote back to me--she has passed

my letter and information up the chain, so hopefully something will happen.

I am going to get in touch with NARAL and some other orgs tomorrow.

[sarahlee]

90. Good for you!

Thanks. I was going to post the information in the MoveOn forum, but I don't have my log in info saved on the laptop I am using right now and was too tired and lazy to try and remember or get a new sign by the time I got over there.

[Kerrytravelers]

44. Keeping it kicked!

[against all enemies]

48. Would Doctors threaten to leave SD if law passes? That would

be noticed more than a boycott. I don't understand why a Dr. would want to live in SD anyway, but to be threatened with 5 years in jail for performing an abortion would make someone get a one way ticket out.

[Sal Minella]

52. I believe no S.D. doctors perform the procedures now -- Minnesota

doctors are flown in to Sioux Falls once or twice a week, I believe -- so the rightwingers have already suppressed the S.D. doctors from doing legal/safe abortions for victims of rape/incest/failed contraception.

[against all enemies]

63. Not just abortion Drs, why not all Doctors. All Doctor's

should be upset that the SD government is saying it knows what is best for patients, over what a DR thinks. How many Dr's are in SD anyway. And why do they stay there?

[dflprincess]

88. You are correct

and the only clinic in SD is in Sioux Falls.

[kwyjibo]

53. What about a boycott of South Dakota corporations?

I haven't done any research on this, but if there are any corporations that have donated funds to any of the politicians involved in the ban, wouldn't a boycott on them carry a message as well as a boycott on tourism?

[sarahlee]

55. Business Info

I am trying to keep the most needed info co-ordinated at
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Choice » South Dakota - Talk $$$
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294

There is some information about businesses in SD there including a link to the SD exporters website.

[Critters2]

74. Is Gateway still in SD?

They were talking about moving at one time.

[AllegroRondo]

112. Many large banks based in SD

due to credit card laws that favor them.

Citibank is one of the big ones.

[Katherine Brengle]

54. kicking

[rg302200]

56. I just sent them an email telling them that I am boycotting their state

I really was going to see Mt. Rushmore this summer, but hell forget it now. I am steering clear of their little Christian Kingdom!

[noamnety]

64. I've emailed also (nt)

[sarahlee]

71. Some Inspiration

The President of the SD Chamber of Commerce is at the state legislative session until March, looking out for the interests of business in SD. I know this because I called his office Thursday, and got his voice mail. So, I called the SD Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Charolette, who was quite defensive and even a little aggressive with me ( "Oh, you mean that law PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN?" No, I mean that law forcing women to carry pregnancies to term."), and made it plain that I would not buy a Gateway, IAMS dog food, any Polaris product, and that I would cancel my CitiBank credit cardbecause of this law.
The CoC has a direct line to the state legislature. The connection could not be clearer.

I also called the Governor's Office, the Legislative Research Council and the Department of Tourism. The very professional women on the other end of the phone listened and asked questions, specifically as to where I was calling from, although I had stated my name and location up front. One woman even volunteered that the law did NOT have universal support in SD, and that many people there were quite unhappy about it. She and I had a nice conversation about it.

I also called all the companies involved and made it very clear to them. Those women were neither defensive nor aggressive as Charolette at the CoC had been; one of them sounded on the verge of tears as I politely told her why I would be boycotting their product.

Boycotting companies who have large operation in South Dakota specifically because of this law sends the message, loud and clear, that we are watching from all over the country and we will use the power we have to affect change.

It's Time To Rage

by LivesInAShoe

Posted at:
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/2/25/8124/93505/228#228

[sarahlee]

72. Nuclear Option

[e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

Here are 40 companies email adresses. Copy and paste them into your adress line. These are all exporting companies

by beholderseye at
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/2/25/8124/93505/151#151

[sarahlee]

76. Impoverished children

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5021812

Look at the states who have the most impoverished children in this country, and then realize who people in these states voted for.

[Iris]

99. Yeah, but how do you counteract people who see their poverty as just

what God wants for them? Or, for that matter, see a baby as a "punishment" for having sex?

[preciousdove]

78. She is lying. I canceled this trip and sent this email

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: [e-mail] ; [e-mail]
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 3:41 PM
Subject: Please return to Constitutional law

I had planned to spend a week in SD doing Genealogy research this spring as my ggrandfather came to SD in the 1880's but I will not set foot in nor purchase goods with ties to SD because of the barbaric anti choice legislation passed by your legislature. I am also urging family and friends to do the same. You are now in violation of the US Constitution

The Supreme Court has already ruled that the Constitution indicates this is a private matter for a woman and there are safeguards in place to prevent frivolous or late term procedures. I support the Constitution, freedom and real democracy which we lost in 2000.

This is not an idle threat. After the 2000 (s)election I won an all expenses week long trip four four to Florida from Hyatt Hotels and I turned it down because it was in Florida.

[sarahlee]

79. Bravo!

Thanks!

[sarahlee]

80. Let the citizens of SD know how you feel

Write some letters to the Editor of South Dakota papers to let the general population know as well. The politicians might not tell them how many calls and letters they are getting.

You can find the contact info and/or write them directly from here:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media /

And maybe post in the forum at
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/bb/index.php

And with no allowance for rape victims, this is what can happen:
South Dakota Passes Rapists' Reproductive Rights Act of 2006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3357

And this can be the result:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=217&topic_id=3294&mesg_id=3359

[Katherine Brengle]

92. kicking........

[existentialist]

100. a view from the ground

I just spoke with my state legislator, one Tom Van Norman, who, with most but not all of the pathetically small number of Democrats in the State legislature, voted against this bill.

He stated, (1) that this was definitely NOT homegrown legislation. National right to life organizations came in with tons of money and a highly organized effort in an attempt to get this passed precisely to try to overturn Roe v. Wade. (So who's surprised about that?)

(2) That Governor rounds has, at this point, left the door open just a crack to allow a possible veto, but,

(3) Rounds probably will not veto the bill, UNLESS

(4) He gets about 10,000 letters urging him to veto it. (So far I and one other person I know have agreed to write such letters.)


Obviously letters from South Dakota voters would tend to have more influence than letters from out of staters, BUT,

If you good people who are organizing boycott efforts will let those efforts be known, both directly to Governor Rounds, AND to the South Dakota Tourist industry, who knows.

It might just still be possible to beat this thing.




Second. Even local Republicans think this is stupid. They know full well that this is passed as a challenge to Roe v. Wade, and for no other purpose, and that if it stands it may well require millions of dollars from the state budget just to fight this out in the Courts, and that the State budget is hard pressed enough without taking on such fights.

[sarahlee]

103. Appreciate the update: the $ and the push

I made calls on Friday and mostly got harried phone answerers - some sympathetic and some spewing Anti-Abortion talking points.

It was an outside push (with who knows what promises were made), but there is a rich right to lifer who pledged a million bucks for the legal costs to make sure they had the money to get it to the Supreme Court.

Somebody is real serious about pushing this. We just have to push back harder.

Remember folks, most of the contact info you need can be found pretty quickly in the Choice forum at:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294

[Breeze54]

101. Send Governor Rounds rusty coathangers and lots of them!

[sarahlee]

102. For the women of South Dakota: an abortion manual

Please help spread the word about this boycott so SD women won't need this link:
http://mollysavestheday.blogspot.com/2006/02/for-women-of-south-dakota-abortion.html

Where SD goes, so goes Nevada, Idaho, South Carolina . . . . . . this bill could be coming to a state near you!

[Crowdance]

113. This really needs its own post, IMHO. n/t

[sarahlee]

114. Well, I am still hoping we will never again need

those instructions. But I am glad they are out there should a time come when we do. Never again, the coathangers. I posted a site with some herbal/natural help below.

I think another thing we have going for us now is that the country has a significant number of nurse practitioners and more women doctors who will help us deveelop safe underground clinics.

I had a friend who died from a botched abortion ..... Never, Ever AGAIN!

[sarahlee]

104. legal fund to pay court costs in lawsuit

As the nation watches South Dakota to see whether Gov. Mike Rounds will sign a bill banning nearly all abortions in the state, abortion-rights supporters are already preparing legal action against the measure. Meanwhile, the House took the first steps Thursday to establish a special legal fund for abortion-related lawsuits, and some anti-abortion groups across the country are encouraging peers to send money to the state to fund a potential legal battle on the ban.

<...>

A legal battle over the ban could potentially cost the state millions in legal fees, and Hunt recently testified to the House State Affairs Committee that the governor has received a pledge of $1 million from an anonymous donor. Rounds said he doesn't know who the donor is and that he's only heard a rumor that such a donor exists.

Amendments to HB1215 on both the House and Senate floors to establish a legal fund to collect such donations for a lawsuit have failed, but Hunt introduced a new bill Thursday that seeks to create a "life protection litigation" subfund. The "life protection subfund" is to be established under the state's existing extraordinary litigation fund. The legislature may put money into the fund, and private donations can be deposited there by the Bureau of Administration.

<...>

At least one group of abortion opponents - Operation Rescue - is urging like-minded individuals to send donations to Rounds for the fund.

"We understand Gov. Rounds' financial concerns about the cost of litigating this law and promise, again, to do all we can to network with pro-life and pro-family groups to help ensure there are adequate resources to defend this bill all the way to the Supreme Court," Operation Rescue's president, Troy Newman, said in a statement Thursday.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/NEWS/602240326/1118

Please consider a donation to the SD Planned Parenthood, who will be on the front fighting for Women and CHOICE
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=217x3294#3370
http://http//ppmns.kintera.org/southdakota

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

107. Kick

:kick:

[sarahlee]

108. Herbal/Natural help for women - better bookmark

Women should best bookmark this site. I think I will share it on the Rapid City, SD forum.
http://www.sisterzeus.com/

And here is a great rant with vital information from Maryscott O'Connor

So, you don't think there's a war against women's medical freedom in this country? You think they'll stop at overturning Roe v. Wade and we can all live unhappily ever after without fear of further encroachment on our private lives? You don't think they'll do everything in their power to make a woman pay for being a sexual person with forced pregnancies and severely limited access to birth control? You think maybe they aren't vicious enough to penalise a woman who needs oral contraception to regulate, say, cysts that might appear should she not take it?

And what's next, after that? A panel of upstanding white Christian men to weigh the evidence presented by a doctor submitting his patient for a D&C to eliminate the cysts brought about by lack of management with oral contraceptives? Make sure they're not trying to sneak in a D&C to get rid of unwanted tissue that ISN'T cystic in nature?

You naive motherfucking fools.

This is the proposed law behind which Governor Matt "Dick" Blunt of Missouri has thrown his full support:

SB 609 "Protects the Conscience Rights of Pharmaceutical Professionals"

SB 609 - This act protects the conscience rights of pharmaceutical professionals. Such pharmaceutical professionals shall not be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer for, or participate in any service involving a particular drug or device that they have a good faith belief is used for abortions. In these instances, the pharmaceutical professional shall be immune from civil or criminal liability and will not have their license suspended or revoked.

Employers cannot refuse to hire, discriminate against, segregate, or terminate a pharmaceutical professional because of their opposition to any service involving a particular drug or device that they have a good faith belief is used for abortions. Colleges and teaching hospitals are also prohibited from discriminating against any person who refuses to participate in any service or training which involves a particular drug that they have a good faith belief is used for abortions. In addition, they are prohibited from requiring a student or teacher to pay fees to fund these activities.

A party injured by any of the acts described in Sections 338.603 to 338.606 can institute a civil action to recover treble damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees.

More....
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/27/10558/3124

[johnnewsberry]

111. Bush Has Secrets May Know About...

but there is proof...http://cgi.ebay.com/MONKEY-PRESIDENT-SAVE-PLANET-SECRET-INFO-RARE-NR_W0QQitemZ5671140247QQcategoryZ1469QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

115. kick

116. Contact Gov Rounds - legislation is on his desk

I heard on a pro-life radio station today, that the legislation is on Gov Rounds desk and he may not sign it. There have been signals from President Bush not to pass the legislation. Bush said "I have always supported a women's right to an abortion in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother". The pro-lifers are feeling they are losing the battle because of Bush's statements.


http://www.state.sd.us/governor/

[Kolesar]

117. I love vacationing in the prarie states (the Boreal Avenger's letter)

Dear Governor Rounds,

Prarie states may not have coasts and mountains, but they have an lively ecosystem with interesting plants and animals. The migratory birds find the lakes that are there. The skies and storms are wonderful viewing.

I'll never forget the first time I saw South Dakota. We entered your state late in the afternoon on interstate 90, having driven all the way from Ohio. I had never seen the short grass prarie before and it captivated me. The long views and the big skies in the approaching sunset as we reached our destination in Chamberlain were true beauty. Seeing my first antelope in the western plains was a sight that I will always treasure.

But I have serious reservations about vacationing in your state again. Your government is advancing a bill that will attack an individual's rights. The South Dakota legislature thinks that government officials should have the power to intrude into one's personal and reproductive rights.

Succinctly, if that bill to wholly outlaw abortion becomes a law or if the bill itself has not been killed, I guarantee you that I am never again going to patronize your state. This is where you learn that the real power in America is the almighty dollar. Please take my comments into account. I love vacationing in the prarie states and I can pick another.

Sincerely,
TBA

118. most excellent

I am sure the governor is quite squeamish about losing tourism dollars.

120. I hope you don't mind - I reprinted your letter in another post

It was such a perfect letter.

[Kolesar]

123. Ya' can't buy passion, hun

No bored think tank apparatchik can compete with a pissed off environmentalist. Thanks for the compliment. Hope you don't mind being called "Hun".

[CornField]

119. "hasn't heard of anyone canceling trips" -- Bullshit!

My letter sent to Gov. Rounds, the legislature, tourism bureaus & vendors as we cancelled previous arrangments

Dear Gov. Rounds and honorable members of the SD legislature,

Last night my husband and I sat down to re-think our summer vacation plans. You see, each year our family of five travels for two weeks to various US destinations. We typically spend one week with family and another week on our own. Previous to last night, we had planned to travel to South Dakota for a week, taking in the Summer Solstice Arts Festival in Mitchell, Battle of Little Big Horn Anniversary celebrations in Crazy Horse and, of course, visiting Mt. Rushmore.

Last night we sat and discussed our travel plans and then called a family meeting. Due to South Dakota's action against women's rights, we can no longer see fit to support your state and will not be visiting this summer.

While the $1,000-$2,000 we planned to spend in your state may not seem much, we feel this is our only voice against the action your legislators have taken. We do not support it and, therefore, we will not support your state. Further, it was the consensus of our family that I should write and alert you to our decision and the thinking behind that decision.

I'm truly sorry that our children will not be able to once again experience Mt. Rushmore; however, I'm more sorry that your legislators felt the need to add insult to the violent injury of rape and incest.

In 1995, my husband and I made the decision to terminate a much wanted pregnancy. Our son was diagnosed with numerous and fatal neural tube defects including anencephaly and spina bifida. The news was heartbreaking and the decisions which followed were not something I'd wish on anyone else. By the time we made the decision to terminate, our son had already died and infection had begun. If we had been subject to the law which South Dakota has put forth, it is very likely I would have died. You see, anencephaly is not a condition which threatens the life of the mother -- although it is always a death sentence for the child. I would have been sent home to wait until the pregnancy came to term, my son would have died and my own body would have been overcome by the subsequent infection. At best, our family's future reproductive opportunities would have been placed at high risk for non-reversible consequences.

It is in the memory of our son (who ironically we named Dakota) that we choose not to support your state, or any state, which attempts to circumvent the rights of a family. Once again, we grieve our son each day, but we also are thankful that our family was not doubly-stricken by loss of wife and mother.

Finally, I want you to know that I will be forwarding a copy of this mail to each of your tourism bureaus and to the South Dakota vendors as we cancel previously made arrangements.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

122. Your letter brought tears to my eyes.

My deepest sympathy for your tragic loss. Your letter was sad but very effective in illustrating that there are various reasons why abortion may be needed. It should always be a legal option.

[Spazito]

125. Very, very powerful letter

My sympathies for your loss. Thank you for sending your letter.

[Spazito]

121. I, too, had South Dakota on my travel list of places to visit

but will NOT step one foot there if this bill goes through. I will send an e-mail to the Governor to state my decision. International tourism dollars are wanted there as well as domestic ones.

124. kick n/t