MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (TNS/WMOT) -- Wednesday marks the 41st anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling on abortion. The decision gave women the right to make their own reproductive choices.
Tennessee may be on the verge of placing curbs on that right. This fall Tennesseans will get the chance to vote on a state constitutional amendment that would grant local lawmakers more power to regulate abortion.
Among those leading efforts to persuade Tennesseans to "vote no" is Rebecca Terrell, the executive director of the Memphis Center for Reproductive Health. She says restrictions don't stop abortion – they just make it less safe and more difficult to access, especially for the most vulnerable women.
"For many women who have to manage child care, take off work, travel long, long distances in many cases to the nearest clinic – they're just increasing the financial burden on these women so that ultimately, it will become out of reach."
Susan Allen with Tennessee Right to Life says legislators should be given the authority to implement waiting periods, informed consent and other restrictions.
“The fifth most designated place to come for out-of-state abortions; we are known that way. I’m certain that most Tennesseans would be embarrassed about that, so we encourage them to come out in November of 2014 and vote “Yes” on Amendment One.”
As part of mid-state Roe v. Wade anniversary remembrances, there will be a screening tonight in Nashville of the documentary "After Tiller." The film examines the murder of Kansas abortionist, George Tiller, who was murdered in 2009 by an anti-abortion extremist.