MADISON, Wis. -- Opposing sides of a controversial plan to create a late-term abortion clinic in Madison this month faced off over the weekend in separate rallies.

Pro-life advocates from across Wisconsin held a rally at Library Mall protesting the decision by the Madison Surgery Center to create a late-term or second-trimester abortion clinic.

Some pro-choice supporters responded by walking over to the Library Mall rally to voice their own views.

Lisa Subeck, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, said, “We're here today to be supportive of our healthcare providers, those who provide women's healthcare, those who provide abortion care. We're here to support the UW Surgery Center and to send a message that we're here to support second-trimester abortion services available in our community."

Chris Slattery, the president of EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers, responded, “I'll be calling for an expanded boycott of the university, a threat to cut off business and personal affiliations with the university by the pro life community if the university does not back down on their plans to end this late-term abortion clinic.”

The proposed clinic is a partnership between Meriter Hospital, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, and the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation.

Pro-life advocates said they will set up a 40-day presence in front of the Madison Surgery Center at 1 S. Park St. starting on Ash Wednesday, which is February 17.

UW police said both rallies were peaceful events and reported no arrests.

For More Info:

For more information on the Madison Surgery Center, go to their Web site.
For more information on NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, go to their Web site.
For more information on EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers, go to their Web site.