why one half of the Right to Life movement in Britain would appear to be putting very moderate deas reflected in the Seleci manes.
Committee reports, if we look at the situation in America alter the trial of the black Dr In Britain the underlying intention of these modest demands is to break up the 190/ Aborton Act stage by stage. This is exactly what has happened in the USA.
A Supreme Court decision in January 1915 gave women tne legal right to abortions up to 24 weeks. A veat ater cac was marcice of charges of manslaughter STOR 1973. The indictment came from the prosecution's charge that as the aborted foetus was 24 weeks old, it was viable in that it could have lived outside the womb.
The Supreme Court decision laid Edelin open to this charge because it-said that at 24 weeks foetuses had to be considered as viable. The Right to Life movement this question as the basis for their first attack Edelin wac eventually abortions themselves.
In America there were attempts immediately after the Edelin affair to introduce restrictive bills separate States. particular to stop Medicaid for Kenneth aDornion This is rather like restricting into the private sector. Additional restrictions were intended to hmi abortions to 20 weeks and to introduce resuscitation equipment to save the aborted foetus after 20 WCCAS This was the basis for the Select Committee's reports here. an Third Special Report of this body introduced the notion of resuscitation equipment, and the Fourth Report told should be restricted to 20 weeks Another aspect of the pattern is 1974 there was an attempt to stop and severe restrictions placed on the availability of abortion. That picked too is paralleled in Britain, with the Select Committee suggesting tight control on pregnancy testing In Britain we can learn lessons from what is going on in America. I think the Right to Life movement here will also aimed in question of viability. They will try to bring in an amendment that stops abortion arter abortions through drawing support from more reacsections profession.
The ribuna will try to draw out these lessons through inviting Dr Willy Peers from Belgium. D Morgentaler from Canada, and Dr Edelin from the states - inree doctors who have all campaigned very recently around the question of a woman's right to decide on abortion. We hope that what they have to say will clarify some of the the Tribunal will feature informa tion about campaigns on abortion chas vala. righis, were te women s move ment have taken up the issue of why abornon must oe a woman s decision.
Just about every women's liberation movement in the world has taken up the right concentrate on this SUDDOTE 20 weeks, medical vants pledged Rally unemployment. in sented to poin une Rally.
Or Women 0 WITH TWO MONTHS to go to the Rally for Women's Rights, growing fast. Last which month both the Communist Party and the National Executive of the Society of Civi and rubic ser support for Women's Charter groups, trade union pranches are orner labour moye ment bodies are building for the public meetings, conferences, film shows, etc.
in Hammersmith an investiga tory committee has been set up to look into the unionisation of women and how they are affected by Hackney an existing committee based on the Trades Council which is investigating abortion facilities is tempting to extend its area of investigation to the work situation of women. Its findings will be preNational Iribunal on Abortion Rights and the Contact is being made periences of the fight for women's rights over the last year a fight even the national press recognises is a long and oner one According to the latest issue of the Economist magazine, in April 1976 "the average full-time male worker was earning £65.10 a week, the equivalent women £39.40. For non-manual workers, whose basic pay is not normally topped up by overtime and premiums, the difference between men and women is even greater: £81.60 a week for men, £48.80 for women.
These statistics drive home what we know arena. the rico wo men and all the other women in Struce last year Have us Bc Con clusive test of the equal pay and sex discrimination legislation and the message came out loud and clear - rely on your own struggles and not on the legislation.
To ensure that these experiences are brought together and exchanged amongst women who have been involven in ne none or women: Rally, which takes place on February at Alexandra Palace.
* Get your organisaton support the Rally.
* Send a donation to the Rally.
*Organise public meetings in your town, trade union, studen union or women's rights group.
* Set up investigatory committees to monitor the effects of the * Get your local NAC group to bring evidence for the Tribunal to the Rally as well.
Get your organisation to bring an exhibition or photo dis play of its activities on women's rights over the last year book a stall for the day.
* Book a coach for the day.
* Come to the next national Planning Meeting on 22 January 1 Manchester - more details next week * Send reports of your activities to Red Weekly during the build up for the Rally.
If you want more information or