The 1973 decision known as Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to an abortion, has been reversed by the US Supreme Court. Advocates from Lake County commented on this ruling and what it means for women in Florida on Friday.
The vote to overturn Roe v. Wade destroys federal protections for abortion and gives each state the authority to choose access to abortion, ending almost fifty years of a woman’s freedom to choose.
26 states have already said that they will outlaw or restrict abortions within the next 30 days. This includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed an abortion ban in the Mississippi manner that will take effect on July 1.
What is Roe v. Wade?
In the historic Roe v. Wade decision from 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a pregnant woman’s right to an abortion free from intervention from the government. Norma McCorvey, a pregnant single woman, petitioned the Supreme Court using the alias Jane Roe to overturn a Texas law that forbade abortions unless the mother’s life was in danger.
While today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade puts at risk the health and lives of women across America, most states in this country still recognize a woman’s right to choose. Here’s what you should know.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022
The court found that these Texas laws violated a woman’s right to privacy, which is guaranteed by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment: “…nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Justice Harry A. Blackmun wrote the majority opinion.
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In this case, the right to an abortion before “foetal viability,” or the time at which a foetus may survive outside the womb, was protected together with the right to women’s privacy.
Since that time, the Supreme Court has said on numerous occasions that the Constitution upholds abortion as a fundamental freedom that is linked to other rights, such as the freedom to make decisions about one’s own family, relationships, and bodily autonomy.
What Are Local Advocates Saying About The Decision?
Republican Party of Lake County state committeeman Ralph Smith hailed the ruling the U.S. Supreme Court issued on Friday. Smith declared, “I think this choice will truly have a great effect on our country. As a Christian Evangelical, I also hold the view that God favours nations that care for the weak and defenceless, including unborn children.
Smith argued that there should be restrictions on abortions because there are numerous “safeguards” and methods to avoid unintended pregnancies. For me, the vast majority of Republicans, and of course true Christians who believe in the sanctity of life, killing unborn children when there is the convenience of birth control is not acceptable, Smith added.
Democratic Party of Lake County Chair Gregory Wilhelm expressed his disapproval of the court’s ruling. “A fundamental human right is the freedom of choice. By granting DeSantis and Republican lawmakers control over Florida women’s reproductive rights today, the U.S. Supreme Court curtailed that freedom “Wilhelm sent the Daily Commercial an email.
“Abortion after 15 weeks will be illegal in Florida starting on July 1 with no exceptions for rape or incest. Republican legislators have stated that they will push for more limitations. A DeSantis second term should make the ladies of Florida and anyone who values freedom very terrified “He composed.
In order to further restrict abortions in Florida, Smith is urging DeSantis to convene a special legislative session. “We want to immediately conduct a special session and call for the greater limits on it (abortion laws), to the degree of prohibiting all abortions except for the extremely uncommon and almost insignificant number of cases where the life of a mother is threatened,” he said.
However, because Lake County does not currently have any abortion clinics, this ruling will have no local effect on abortions. “In Lake County, we are fortunate. According to what I hear, there are no abortion clinics here “explained Smith. “I believe they have only sometimes occurred through our hospitals in the previous 10 or 15 years, and then arguably only in the circumstances where it might have been medically essential,” the author says.
Florida’s Laws On Abortion
What would the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade mean for abortion rights in Florida? Florida doesn’t have a “trigger law” that would immediately outlaw abortion, in contrast to other states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas.
🚨 #BREAKING: Florida bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. 🚨
➡️ Tonight, Florida’s state senate passed HB 5, an extreme law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. https://t.co/axuRzgCZW5
— Center for Reproductive Rights (@ReproRights) March 4, 2022
Florida still allows abortions, but DeSantis signed a law banning them after 15 weeks in April. The present window for a legal pregnancy termination is reduced by two months as a result of this abortion ban. Beginning on July 1, House Bill 5, “Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality,” will restrict access to late-term abortions.
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Republican state senators and representatives rejected amendments to this bill that would have made exceptions for rape, human trafficking, incest, and mental health issues. The only exceptions under this proposed rule would be if the woman was in danger of passing away, had a “irreversible physical handicap,” or had a fatally malformed foetus.
A Florida doctor who disobeys this prohibition on abortion would commit a third-degree crime, be punished with up to five years in jail, and pay a $5,000 fine. A Florida Constitution privacy provision originally complicated these in-state abortion limitations.
Every natural person has the right to be left alone and free from governmental intrusion into their private lives, save as otherwise allowed herein, according to Article I, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution.
Since Roe v. Wade’s right to an abortion was invalidated, Florida is now free to enact additional abortion restrictions, giving Florida legislators control over reproduction rights. This provision was predicated on that right.
