Arizona's Near-Total Abortion Ban Uphold by Supreme Court
Decision Adds Arizona to Growing List of States Restricting Abortion Access
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, that a near-total abortion ban dating back to 1864 is enforceable in the state. The decision overturns a lower court ruling that had temporarily blocked the ban from taking effect.
Ban Takes Effect Immediately, Shuttering Abortion Clinics
The 1864 ban prohibits all abortions except to save the life of the mother. It supersedes a more recent 15-week abortion ban passed by the state legislature in 2022. With the 1864 ban now in effect, abortion is immediately inaccessible in Arizona.
Court Decision Cites Overturning of Roe v. Wade
In its ruling, the Arizona Supreme Court stated that the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022 removed the federal protection for abortion rights. As a result, the court found that there is no federal or state law preventing Arizona from enforcing the 1864 ban.
Protesters Gather Outside State Capitol
Following the ruling, a group of abortion-rights protesters gathered outside the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix to express their outrage. The protesters chanted slogans and held signs condemning the decision as an attack on women's rights.
Decision Prompts Legal Challenges
Legal challenges to the ban are expected to be filed promptly. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced its intention to challenge the law in federal court. The ACLU argues that the 1864 ban violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution.
Impact on Abortion Access in Arizona
The Arizona Supreme Court's decision is a significant setback for abortion rights in the state. It is likely to have a devastating impact on the availability of abortion care in Arizona, leaving many women without access to essential reproductive healthcare.
Division Over Abortion Rights
The ruling highlights the deep division in Arizona over abortion rights. While some residents support the restrictions, others believe that women should have the right to make their own healthcare decisions.
Future of Abortion Rights in the State
The future of abortion rights in Arizona remains uncertain. The legal challenges to the 1864 ban will likely take months or even years to resolve. In the meantime, the ban will remain in effect, severely restricting abortion access in the state.
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