What The Hell America!

In a disturbing display of extremism, anti-abortion protesters physically blocked access to reproductive healthcare—as millions flood the U.S.’ most expensive judicial race in history.

On Thursday, March 27^th in Milwaukee, anti-abortion extremists blockaded Affiliated Medical Services, refusing to leave until police physically removed them. This calculated act in defiance of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act occurred just days before Wisconsin voters decide a critical State Supreme Court race that will determine the future of abortion rights in the state.

Footage from Jason Murphy, one of the blockaders, posted to Facebook, shows him and fellow extremist Laurie Resch sitting on the ground, deliberately obstructing the clinic entrance while shaming and frightening women seeking and staff providing abortion and other reproductive health care.

Another blockader yelled at police officers, falsely claiming legal authority for her actions. “Abortion is against the law, in violation of the 1849 section 940.04 saying it’s homicide, murder,” she shouted, demanding police officers arrest clinic staff.  

Wisconsin’s pivotal court race: democracy and reproductive freedom at stake

This particular clinic blockade comes at a pivotal moment for Wisconsin women. On Tuesday, April 1, voters will decide between two candidates for the state Supreme Court. The election has become the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, with $100 million predicted to be spent by Tuesday, according to the Brennan Center and other groups watching the race closely. 

Susan Crawford, a Democratic-backed circuit court judge from Dane County, faces former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, who has received Donald Trump’s endorsement. The ideological balance of the seven-member court hangs in the balance.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Just two years ago, Justice Janet Protasiewicz’s victory swung the court to a liberal majority, which promptly struck down gerrymandered legislative maps designed to entrench Republican power and reinstated ballot drop boxes to ease voting access.

A Schimel victory would not only threaten these democratic reforms but could potentially end abortion access in Wisconsin by enforcing an archaic 1849 ban—the very law that protesters like Resch are trying to weaponize.

Musk buying votes

The extraordinary influx of cash into this race reveals the national significance of this state court election. Tech billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk has not only donated an astounding $14 million to Schimel’s campaign, but is also offering Wisconsin residents $100 to sign petitions against what he calls “activist judges”—a thinly veiled payment to voters. Musk also gave away $1 million dollar checks over the weekend to two Wisconsin residents who signed the petition. Wisconsin’s Attorney General Josh Kaul attempted to sue Musk for violating Wisconsin law prohibiting gifts in exchange for votes. After Musk’s actions were supported by two lower courts, Kaul appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear the case. They unanimously declined to rule on the matter and Musk proceeded with his “giveaways.” 

Early voting shows turnout is up 48 percent compared to the Supreme Court race two years ago, indicating voters understand what’s at stake. For Wisconsin women, Tuesday’s election represents a critical choice between protecting hard-won reproductive freedoms or returning to an era when women were denied basic healthcare rights.

The blockade at Affiliated Medical Services is a chilling example of what Wisconsin—and America at large—is facing post-Dobbs. Extremists will be more emboldened than ever if they see their regressive agenda realized. As Wisconsin goes to the polls on Tuesday, the fundamental right to control one’s own body hangs in the balance.