Abortion already banned in some US states

Created: 06/25/2022, 05:20

Abortion advocate Eleanor Wells wipes away tears during a protest in Los Angeles.

© Jae C. Hong/AP/dpa

Conservatives in the US have been waiting for this moment: the end of liberal abortion laws.

Many states have prepared for this moment - they don't want to waste any time.

Washington - After the historic decision of the Supreme Court, far-reaching abortion bans have already come into force in a number of US states.

In states like Arkansas, Kentucky or Louisiana, abortions are no longer allowed - not even in cases of rape or incest.

There are usually only exceptions for medical emergencies.

On the other hand, a number of liberal states announced on Friday that they want to continue to protect the right to abortion.

US President Joe Biden announced measures to protect women's rights.

But he is relatively powerless in the face of the decision.

Demonstrations in many places

Thousands of people spontaneously protested against the verdict in several major US cities on Friday, including in the capital Washington, New York, Austin, Denver and Philadelphia.

In New York alone, at least 1,000 people demonstrated for abortion rights in Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

Demonstrators held up signs reading "My rapist has more rights than I do" and chanted slogans such as "Abortion is a human right."

The Supreme Court overturned the country's liberal abortion law on Friday.

The mostly conservative Supreme Court thus paved the way for stricter abortion laws - even including complete bans.

Some states have already prepared laws that can come into force if the previous case law is overturned - so-called trigger laws.

In some states they take effect immediately, in others it takes about a month.

Some states require formal endorsement from the attorney general or governor.

Around half of the states affected

There is no federal law in the United States that allows or prohibits abortion.

However, abortions were allowed at least until the fetus was viable - today around the 24th week.

This was ensured by two rulings by the US Supreme Court, which have now been overturned.

Now the US states can decide on abortion rights.

Abortion is now likely to be severely restricted or banned in around half of the states.

Anti-abortion activists celebrate after Supreme Court decision in Washington DC.

© Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP/dpa

According to the New York Times, more than seven million women of childbearing age were affected by the new restrictions as of Friday evening (local time).

This number is likely to increase significantly in the coming days and weeks.

In many states, such as Missouri or Oklahoma, doctors who perform abortions now face long prison sentences.

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On the other hand, the governors from California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, among others, professed their liberal attitude towards abortions.

Women can now theoretically travel to these states to have an abortion.

However, many cannot afford it at all.

Democrats lack votes in Congress

Democrats would like to legislate abortion rights nationwide.

But they lack the necessary votes in Congress.

US President Biden cannot simply restore this right by decree.

The Democrat hopes to get the necessary majority for such a law for his party in the congressional elections in November.

However, polls tend to point in the other direction - towards gains for the Republicans.

Biden has now announced that his government will do everything possible to ensure women's right to travel.

"A person has the right to travel from one state to another for any reason -- that's nobody's business, let alone the government," the White House said.

If anyone tries to prevent women from exercising this fundamental right, the Biden administration will fight this "profoundly un-American attack."

Trump: "Win for Life"

Biden also ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure access to approved abortion pills — including via telemedicine and mailing — is guaranteed.

According to the Department of Justice, states cannot simply ban a corresponding drug.

While liberals reacted with horror to the verdict, many conservatives celebrated the decision.

Ex-President Donald Trump called the decision a "win for life".

His Vice President at the time, Mike Pence, called on anti-abortion advocates to campaign for ruptures to be banned in all states.

According to polls, a majority of Americans support abortion rights.

dpa