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Derenda Hancock, co-director of the Jackson Women's Health Organization, argues with an anti-abortion activist on the day the Pink House closes
Photo:
Rogelio V. Solis / AP
After the controversial abortion decision of the US Supreme Court, abortions are now also banned in Mississippi – and thus in a total of seven states.
Abortion supporters and opponents gathered in front of the famous Pink House Women's Hospital in Jackson.
This was at the center of the legal dispute that ultimately led to the repeal of the nationwide fundamental right to abortion.
The Jackson Women's Health Organization is also known across the country as the "Pink House" because of the color of the building.
It was the only facility offering abortions in conservative Mississippi.
The last interventions were carried out on Wednesday, with the beginning of the ban on Thursday only follow-up appointments were carried out.
Closure of the only abortion clinic
The clinic was at the center of the legal battle that ultimately led to the repeal of the country's fundamental right to abortion.
The Jackson Women's Health Organization had challenged a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, violating the landmark Roe v.
Wade” in 1973.
This had enshrined a fundamental right to abortions up to about the 24th week of pregnancy.
On June 24, however, the US Supreme Court with its conservative majority declared the law in Mississippi to be constitutional - and at the same time overturned »Roe v.
Wade« on.
The decision of the Supreme Court is considered a historic turning point and caused a political earthquake.
Because there is no federal law on abortion, states can now largely or completely ban abortion.
Mississippi now has a law that is even stricter than the 15-week law.
It bans all abortions with a few exceptions and provides for prison sentences of up to ten years for violations.
The abortion clinic in Jackson had tried to have this law blocked by a court, but failed on Tuesday and is now closing.
atb/AFP
