Groups of both anti-abortion and abortion rights advocates rallied Saturday to voice their opinions about the proposed abortion clinic at the Madison Surgery Center, a UW Hospital and Clinics affiliate.
One rally was organized by Pro-Life Wisconsin and Vigil for Life of Madison and included several speakers from anti-abortion organizations from across the state.
Several groups in favor of abortion rights, including the International Socialist Organization and UW-Madison Advocates for Choice, organized a counter-rally and were also present at the event.
According to Pro-Life Wisconsin spokesperson Virginia Zignego, members of the organization believe UW-Madison should not be affiliated with an institution that provides late-term abortions.
""[UW-Madison] is a publicly funded university, and our state taxpayer money shouldn't be used to commit abortions,"" she said.
Amanda Detry, a member of UW-Madison Students for Life and a speaker at the event, said she believes most women get abortions because they are scared and feel they have no other options.
Detry said she feels abortion is not the answer to those insecurities.
""Abortion is not the end-all solution to a woman's concerns, because women who walk out of abortion clinics are still poor, are still shaken by their experience and are still surrounded by those who pressured them into the situation,"" she said.
Ben Ratliffe, a member of the International Socialist Organization, said he helped organize the counter-rally because he feels abortion is a key step in ensuring women's equality.
""This is about women controlling their own lives, and if women can't control whether or not they're pregnant, it's impossible for them to be equal,"" he said.
Claire Peterson, chair of UW-Madison Advocates for Choice, an organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood, said she believes abortions should be provided at any medical center with the resources to do so, including the Madison Surgery Center.
""Reproductive health care, including abortions, should be considered basic health care,"" she said.
Peterson said she acknowledges that anti-abortion advocates have the right to their own beliefs, but said she wishes they would not impose them on others.
""If a woman is personally against abortion, that is completely fine, but they should not take that choice away from all women,"" she said.
Zignego said she was pleased with the overall turnout of the event.
""Wisconsinites have really stepped up and have expressed that they are pro-life and they don't want this,"" she said.
