After learning that they could enforce a rule from 1864 that makes all abortions illegal except when the woman’s life is in danger, Arizona could join fourteen other states, including Tennessee. As you know, rape and incest are still illegal unless the woman’s life is in danger.
The judge did say that they would not start enforcing it for another two weeks. If an agreement is not made in the current abortion case, the delay could last up to two months.
The state would have almost no abortions, so they would go from having almost a thousand a month to having none at all. Doctors who do abortions could also spend up to five years in jail under the new law.
Senator Eva Burch of Arizona has pushed for abortion rights after having one herself because her baby was not viable. According to Burch, the fight for abortion rights in Arizona is still going on. “This moment must not slow us down,” she said next.
While abortions are still allowed, Planned Parenthood says they will continue to provide them. After that, they will help women get abortions in other states.
“Even with today’s decision, Planned Parenthood Arizona will still offer abortions up to 15 weeks,” said Angela Florez, head of Planned Parenthood in Arizona.
People were divided on this issue. Some supported the decision, while others were glad that these unborn children could no longer be killed. However, some people said that if abortion wasn’t allowed, some women would become desperate to get rid of the baby, which would mean they would do anything to end the pregnancy themselves.
