So Larry and Marty think they are cracking down on crime;
Governor Larry Rhoden is urging Attorney General Marty Jackley to investigate a new abortion ad campaign, appearing at gas stations across the state.
The ad campaign is being broadcast by Mayday Health, advertising abortion pills at 30 gas stations in 20 South Dakota cities.
Governor Rhoden specifically cites SDCL 22-17-5.1 and SDCL 36-4-8.
“All ad campaigns, no matter what the issue, need to follow state laws and fair trade practices,” said Jackley. “We will review these ads and determine if any laws have been broken. If laws have been broken, we will take appropriate action.”
The advertisement doesn’t perform abortions or dispense abortion pills it simply advertises a website where you can get help. They have a 1st Amendment right to advertise and the laws referenced above are about performing or assisting in abortions. Last time I checked a billboard can’t perform abortions.
While I know Rhoden is this stupid, I would think Jackley would know the US Constitution and Free Speech Rights. They could ask them to cease and desist, but they don’t have to comply. If they try to indict this organization it will be laughed out of court. They will likely get a stern letter from Jackboots and pull the ads. They have already served their purpose and by announcing this potential indictment you just gave them more press then they know what to do with. Idiots.
My bigger question is if the media will do a counter story about the 1st Amendment violations? You would think a news organization would be protecting their advertisers.