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ACLU plans to defend abortion rights pending ballot initiatives

The ACLU says it's committed to protecting reproductive freedoms and rights, including "equitable access" to abortion.

DETROIT — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan says it will defend abortion rights in response to pending ballot initiatives to prohibit a second-trimester abortion procedure.

The Michigan Values Life group submitted 380,000 signatures on Monday for an initiative that would prohibit the dilation and evacuation procedure. The group, which is mainly organized by the Right to Life of Michigan, says the procedure should be considered dismemberment of a human. 

The ACLU called the initiative a "dangerous" one that would deny people access to safe healthcare. 

If the petitions are certified as valid, the Republican-led Michigan Legislature will have a 40-day window to pass it into law, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen can't veto it. The ACLU says if the Legislature votes to pass the ban as law, before appearing on the November 2020 ballot, the organization will challenge it in court. 

RELATED: Michigan group submits petitions to ban abortion method

RELATED: Anti-abortion initiatives circulating in Michigan

Dave Noble, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, provided the following statement:

“This anti-abortion effort is a nationwide movement that we in Michigan are prepared to fight. Abortion is health care. Abortion is a right that has become dangerously fragile and must be protected. We champion the rights of pregnant people to make their own medical decisions alongside a health care professional they trust – not politicians concerned more with thwarting religious freedoms and sound medical advice for all.”

The dilation and evacuation procedure was used in 7% of abortions in Michigan last year. 

Genevieve Marnon, the legislative director for Right to Life of Michigan, said the number averages out to be about five babies a day.  

"It's a real problem, and we think in a civilized society it's high time for this barbaric procedure to end," Marnon said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting. 

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