June 8, 2009
Antiabortion Efforts Move to the State Level
by Peter Slevin
The Washington Post
Twelve women sat gloomily in a windowless conference room as Joseph Booker, M.D., recited the instructions required by the state of Mississippi before he can perform an abortion.
"Try to bear with us," Booker began. "This is something we have to do."
Prenatal benefits may be available, prospective fathers are legally liable for support and a list of adoption agencies can be provided, he said, ticking through a list worn into his memory. He offered the women a packet that included a brochure containing color photos of tiny fetuses inside the womb.
No one took the packet. Each woman silently signed the consent form in her lap and filed out. They passed a line of singing and praying antiabortion protesters -- "Do you have time for a 15-second prayer?" "Ma'am, killing your baby isn't going to help" -- to wait the 24 hours mandated by Mississippi legislators.
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