This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36641063
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Strict Texas abortion law struck down | Strict Texas abortion law struck down |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US Supreme Court has struck down a 2013 Texas abortion law that imposed restrictive regulations on the procedure. | The US Supreme Court has struck down a 2013 Texas abortion law that imposed restrictive regulations on the procedure. |
| The law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and clinics to maintain hospital-like conditions. | The law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and clinics to maintain hospital-like conditions. |
| Republicans contended the law protects women while advocates argued the measures restricts access to abortions. | Republicans contended the law protects women while advocates argued the measures restricts access to abortions. |
| The key decision is the first major abortion ruling since 2007. | The key decision is the first major abortion ruling since 2007. |
| Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with the court's liberals in the 5-3 decision, which marked the first time the High Court has limited state abortion legislation in more than 15 years. | Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with the court's liberals in the 5-3 decision, which marked the first time the High Court has limited state abortion legislation in more than 15 years. |
| At the scene - Ashley Gold, BBC News, Washington | At the scene - Ashley Gold, BBC News, Washington |
| Nearly a thousand people gathered in front of the Supreme Court in the hot sun, holding signs and dancing to a Beyonce-heavy playlist. | |
| At times, the pro-choice crowd's loud music and shouting drowned out chants of "we are the pro-life generation" from the other side. | |
| But when the Court handed down its decision invalidating Texas' abortion laws, those who say they fight for life took to the microphones outside the court to say they would not give up. | But when the Court handed down its decision invalidating Texas' abortion laws, those who say they fight for life took to the microphones outside the court to say they would not give up. |
| "Women were hurt today," one said. "There are two victims to abortion, and my heart is breaking." | "Women were hurt today," one said. "There are two victims to abortion, and my heart is breaking." |
| A few feet away, women holding "keep abortion legal" and "The burden is undue" signs danced, screamed and sang in reaction to the court's decision, many of them in disbelief - several had feared a tie. | |
| The last time the top court issued a ruling on a major abortion case was nine years ago in a 5-4 decision to uphold a federal law banning a late-term abortion procedure. | The last time the top court issued a ruling on a major abortion case was nine years ago in a 5-4 decision to uphold a federal law banning a late-term abortion procedure. |
| The Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in its landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling. | The Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in its landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling. |
| The typically nine-justice court was one member short after the death of Justin Antonin Scalia earlier this year. | The typically nine-justice court was one member short after the death of Justin Antonin Scalia earlier this year. |
| Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito dissented. | Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito dissented. |
| "By striking down politically motivated restrictions that made it nearly impossible for Texans to exercise their full reproductive rights, the court upheld every woman's right to safe, legal abortion, no matter where she lives," Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton said in a statement after the ruling. | "By striking down politically motivated restrictions that made it nearly impossible for Texans to exercise their full reproductive rights, the court upheld every woman's right to safe, legal abortion, no matter where she lives," Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton said in a statement after the ruling. |
| But Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said the decision came "at the expense of children, women, and families". | But Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said the decision came "at the expense of children, women, and families". |
| "Keeping abortion providers accountable should not be a political wedge issue. This ruling is further proof how much more work the pro-life movement has to do in the cause of life and human dignity." he said. | "Keeping abortion providers accountable should not be a political wedge issue. This ruling is further proof how much more work the pro-life movement has to do in the cause of life and human dignity." he said. |
| Both sides of the debate | Both sides of the debate |