Activist Judge Blocks Alabama Abortion Ban

An Alabama abortion bill that would block almost all abortions has been blocked by a federal judge. This bill was scheduled to take effect on November 15th. The decision to block the Alabama ban was made by US District Judge Myron Thompson. He adds that the abortion ban “…violates the right of an individual to privacy, to make choices central to personal dignity and autonomy” and “diminishes the capacity of women to act in society, and to make reproductive decisions.”

The New York Times explains that this decision ensures that “the procedure remains legal and available in the state while the case winds its way through the courts.” Randall Marshall, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, confirms that abortion remains legal in the state. “The state’s repeated attempts to push abortion out of reach by enacting unconstitutional laws restricting abortions have already cost taxpayers nearly $2.5 million. This ill-advised law will cost taxpayers more money,” he adds.

[wps_products_gallery product_id=”4334000898099, 4347618066483, 4335184740403″]

Already a controversial issue to begin with, the law has its fair share of supporters. The Human Protection Act, the term for Alabama’s law drafted by leaders of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition, “calls for a sweeping ban, including in cases of rape and incest, and threatens doctors who perform the procedure with felony charges and up to 99 years in prison.” There are, however, exceptions for cases where the health of the unborn child’s mother is at serious risk.

Sources:
• https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/29/politics/alabama-abortion-ban-blocked/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1kUf5JrPXigkGAMp6XyY8OvlmFTEWSHMt-Q-Rwdv3WStd9tvc7dWyg1N0
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/us/alabama-abortion-ban.html