Wisconsin’s Pre-Civil War Ban Invalidated

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 2, 2025 
CONTACT: Carina Pacheco, [email protected] 

Statement from Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation, on Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to strike down 1849 law:

I am heartened by the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision affirming that abortion is legal in the state and rejecting the use of an archaic 19th-century statute to strip people of their fundamental rights. This ruling is a critical victory for reproductive freedom and a direct rebuke to those who have sought to manipulate outdated laws in their relentless campaign to ban abortion and control our bodies.

This moment belongs to the tireless advocates, providers, and organizers across Wisconsin, who never stopped fighting to restore access to care and ensure that all people, regardless of income or zip code, can make their own decisions about pregnancy and parenting.

We know this win is not the end of the fight and there are still unnecessary abortion restrictions in Wisconsin. Anti-abortion individuals and groups will continue to look for ways to chip away at our rights, whether in courtrooms, legislatures, or through intimidation–and we will not back down. But today, we celebrate a powerful affirmation of our autonomy and recommit to building a future where abortion is not only legal, but truly accessible to all who need it.

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NAF remains committed to helping as many people as possible access high-quality and affordable abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding for their care.