The freedom to make decisions about reproductive health care is on the ballot in Wisconsin on April 1, in the state Supreme Court race. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals are inviting other Wisconsin residents to rally with them across the state this week to protect reproductive freedom.

Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on April 1 to fill an open seat on the state’s Supreme Court, in one of the most publicized state elections in recent history. Whoever wins will be the make-or-break vote on whether an abortion ban will cut off Wisconsin women’s access to health care.

Voters will decide between Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel to replace retiring state Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.

Crawford has a history of upholding fundamental rights. Schimel has argued in favor of Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban and abortion restrictions.

Join a rally

People across Wisconsin who care about the fate of reproductive rights in the state can join health care workers in a “Rally for Reproductive Freedom” in five cities across the state. Wisconsin obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Kristin Lyerly said the rallies will include conversations about how the April 1 Supreme Court race is important to reproductive freedom.

“We’re going to have a lot of unified voices,” Lyerly said. “We need to come together in order to push back on this ugly interference by politicians in our own medical decision making.”

Lyerly said there will be doctors, nurses, patients and others in the health care field available to talk about the issues and the reality of reproductive care in Wisconsin at the rallies..

In Madison, organizers plan to take the rally right up to the Supreme Court. “We’re having a giant rally on the steps of the Capitol,” said Lyerly. “Then we’re going to march into the Capitol and up to the Supreme Court, and we’ve got a special event planned there.”

There will be rallies Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Wisconsin.

Tuesday:
Milwaukee
10 a.m.
633 S. Hawley Rd

Madison
2 p.m.
Wisconsin State Capitol

Wednesday:
La Crosse
10 a.m.
La Crosse Public Library

Eau Claire
2 p.m.
440 Broadway

Thursday:
Green Bay
12 p.m.
Brown County Courthouse

Supporters can also add their names to a statement opposing candidate Schimel’s views and urging voters to join “a coalition of medical professionals who believe patient care should be guided by science and medical integrity.”