New Bedford Light’s Jack Spillane on Abortion Rights and More [TOWNSQUARE SUNDAY]
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, triggering the outlawing of abortions in many parts of this country. Women are reacting on both sides of the issue, both here in New Bedford and around the nation.
The online publication New Bedford Light and columnist Jack Spillane tried to shed more light on the issue last Wednesday with an online discussion. Spillane joined me this week on Townsquare Sunday to discuss the ruling and local reaction.
He was joined by seven women on the online chat with the discussion centering on the lack of abortion services in New Bedford.
"There is a group called Health Alternatives that runs an operation in Howland Place and they will advise women on reproductive health issues," Spillane said. "If it's a low-income woman, they will try to put her in touch with places than can help her find funding for transportation and the abortion procedure, which can run up to $600 or more."
New Bedford Light reporting also uncovered that while there are no abortion clinics within a 30-mile radius of New Bedford, there are five so-called "Pregnancy Crisis Centers," designed to talk people out of the abortion procedure. Spillane and I both agree that's an interesting situation in one of the most progressive states in the country.
Other topics included the hearings on the January 6th attack on the Capitol Building and the courageous testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, and the signature-gathering effort to place a question on the ballot this fall asking voters whether they favored undocumented immigrants obtaining driver's licenses in Massachusetts.
Proponents of the question must gather more than 40,000 signatures, and deliver them to state officials by Sept. 7. It's a big job, and there's a small window to get it done.
The complete interview with Spillane can be heard here:
Townsquare Sunday is a public affairs program heard every Sunday at 6 and 11 a.m. on 1420 AM and 99.5 FM.
The program highlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.
If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.