The Coat Hanger Project is a documentary film about abortion and current state of the pro-choice movement. In 2006, South Dakota Legislature made an attempt to ban on all abortion, without exception for rape, incest or life of the women - and was struck down. The defeat of the South Dakota abortion ban in 2006 was as a uniquely important, historical moment in the reproductive rights movement because it represents the only time since Roe that the anti's had an opportunity to end abortion without exception in a state – and failed. The purpose of the title "The Coat Hanger Project" is to evoke a memory of what almost became the only abortion alternative for women in South Dakota.
Since the defeat of the HB 1215 last November, the South Dakota Legislature drafted and passed another, less restrictive ban on abortion (HB 1293), this time with an exception for rape, incest or life endangerment, and other conservative states are working on similar legislation. Thankfully, HB 1293 was killed in the South Dakota Senate, so Gov. Mike Rounds will not be signing it into law, it will not be on the general election ballot in 2008. But anti-choice lawmakers are already working to draft language for another ban.
The Coat Hanger Project seeks to remind us all that taking away access to safe, legal abortion service does not stop abortions from happening. It just makes it much more difficult - and dangerous - for women to end their pregnancies.
The film weaves footage from working on the Campaign for Healthy Families in South Dakota into several different interviews from prominent people in the pro-choice movement, abortion providers, women who have had abortions, artists, musicians and others who offer a unique perspective on the issue.