MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has ordered Mayday Health to stop running advertisements for abortion pills on gas-station screens across the state, saying the messaging violates state law and could endanger women’s health.
The cease and desist order, announced this week, directs the organization to remove the ads within five business days. Jackley said the advertisements contain “deceptive” information and discourage pregnant women from seeking medical care.
“Because it’s not just a violation of South Dakota law, but they are recommending that pregnant women not seek medical attention, which can create further health concerns,” Jackley said. “And so I felt strongly that South Dakota law needed to be enforced immediately. I provided them a cease and desist order with the opportunity to take it down and then have a further conversation with me about the repercussions.”
Mayday Health, a group that promotes access to abortion medication, has defended the advertisements as protected free speech and is receiving support from the ACLU, which says the campaign falls within the organization’s First Amendment rights.
The order gives Mayday Health five business days to respond.
