Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin calling on Dist. Attorney Urmanski to not criminalize abortions

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Planned Parenthood and several pro-choice supporters stood outside of the Sheboygan District Attorney's Office after Sheboygan County DA Joel Urmanski said he'd appeal the ruling that does not ban consensual abortions Dec. 7.

"That's an active choice that one makes. This is a discretionary decision to appeal, it's not required by law," said Michelle Velasquez, chief strategy officer for Planned Parenthood Wisconsin.

This comes after Dane County Court Judge Diane Schlipper made a ruling this week that she re-affirmed her decision that said statute 940.04 does not apply to consensual abortions.

In a statement Urmanski said, "I disagree with and intend to appeal the decision."

Urmanski is one of three district attorneys named as defendants in the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Josh Kaul in wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the court's landmark 1973 decision legalizing abortion.

Despite that statement, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said they're priority is to reintroduce abortion services at their Sheboygan clinic.

"Our priority is to resume there, it's really just a matter of as soon as Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has physicians and the staffing and all sort of operational plans in place," said Velasquez.

Velasquez says this rally was a way to get ahold of Urmanski, who she claims has not been accessible.

Regardless of Urmanski's silence, Planned Parenthood plans to continue to work on resuming abortion services.