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| Alabama passes nation's strictest abortion ban – live updates | Alabama passes nation's strictest abortion ban – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| It is common to see abortion restrictions in the US – for the last two decades abortion opponents have been very effective at gradually restricting where, when and how a woman can obtain one. | |
| But at least one state has sought to protect abortion – New York. | |
| Here is more from the Guardian’s view on abortion: protecting a human right. | |
| At this grim time there are signs of hope. New York state has sought to bolster abortion rights this year. Chile somewhat eased its ban in 2017. And last year’s landslide vote in favour of repealing Ireland’s near-total ban resonated worldwide. | |
| Nine more US states are considering anti-abortion legislation similar to that just passed in Alabama. | |
| Revealed: nine more US states considering hardline anti-abortion bills | |
| Bills have so far passed one chamber in Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to Guardian reporter Jason Wilson. | |
| Others have been introduced to statehouses in Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Texas and West Virginia without yet facing votes. | |
| Democratic US presidential candidates have condemned Alabama’s abortion ban. Here is what they said about the bill: | Democratic US presidential candidates have condemned Alabama’s abortion ban. Here is what they said about the bill: |
| This ban is dangerous and exceptionally cruel—and the bill’s authors want to use it to overturn Roe v. Wade. I've lived in that America and let me tell you: We are not going back—not now, not ever. We will fight this. And we will win. https://t.co/WNlr7Ys73q | This ban is dangerous and exceptionally cruel—and the bill’s authors want to use it to overturn Roe v. Wade. I've lived in that America and let me tell you: We are not going back—not now, not ever. We will fight this. And we will win. https://t.co/WNlr7Ys73q |
| Outrageous news coming out of Alabama. This law would effectively ban abortions in the state and criminalize doctors for doing their jobs - providing health care to women. https://t.co/90utkxn7J2 | Outrageous news coming out of Alabama. This law would effectively ban abortions in the state and criminalize doctors for doing their jobs - providing health care to women. https://t.co/90utkxn7J2 |
| This bill in Alabama is effectively a ban on abortion. This is wrong. This is unconstitutional. https://t.co/dsRWqAY4PW Screen Shot 2019-05-14 at 9.35.41 PM.png | This bill in Alabama is effectively a ban on abortion. This is wrong. This is unconstitutional. https://t.co/dsRWqAY4PW Screen Shot 2019-05-14 at 9.35.41 PM.png |
| Abortion is a constitutional right. | Abortion is a constitutional right. |
| As well, here are statements from US Democratic presidential candidates Cory Booker, Jay Inslee and Julián Castro. | As well, here are statements from US Democratic presidential candidates Cory Booker, Jay Inslee and Julián Castro. |
| A federal court in Mississippi is scheduled to hear the first arguments against a six-week abortion ban in that state, brought by the state’s last remaining abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization. | A federal court in Mississippi is scheduled to hear the first arguments against a six-week abortion ban in that state, brought by the state’s last remaining abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization. |
| The judge hearing the case struck down a 15-week abortion ban in November 2018, saying it “unequivocally” violated a woman’s right to reproductive autonomy. | The judge hearing the case struck down a 15-week abortion ban in November 2018, saying it “unequivocally” violated a woman’s right to reproductive autonomy. |
| Abortion remains legal in all 50 US states while civil rights groups challenge abortion bans. | Abortion remains legal in all 50 US states while civil rights groups challenge abortion bans. |
| Why has Alabama passed such a strict abortion ban? | Why has Alabama passed such a strict abortion ban? |
| Anti-abortion campaigners hope the bill will challenge the 1973 US Supreme Court case which legalized abortion, Roe versus Wade. | Anti-abortion campaigners hope the bill will challenge the 1973 US Supreme Court case which legalized abortion, Roe versus Wade. |
| Guardian US reporter Erin Durkin brought us these comments from one of the architects of the ban in Montgomery, Alabama, state Representative Rich Wingo: | Guardian US reporter Erin Durkin brought us these comments from one of the architects of the ban in Montgomery, Alabama, state Representative Rich Wingo: |
| It goes after Roe directly... We’re going in the front door and we’re saying to the supreme court, please explain to us how this isn’t a person. With modern technology, with everything that we know, this child needs to be protected under the US constitution.” | It goes after Roe directly... We’re going in the front door and we’re saying to the supreme court, please explain to us how this isn’t a person. With modern technology, with everything that we know, this child needs to be protected under the US constitution.” |
| Although anti-abortion campaigners often reference changes in medical technology for their abortion restrictions, the real change has been in the US Supreme Court, where the Trump administration successfully confirmed two conservative justices. | Although anti-abortion campaigners often reference changes in medical technology for their abortion restrictions, the real change has been in the US Supreme Court, where the Trump administration successfully confirmed two conservative justices. |
| The bill still needs to be signed by Alabama’s Republican governor. Because Roe versus Wade remains in effect, abortion is still legal in all 50 states even as states enact bans. | The bill still needs to be signed by Alabama’s Republican governor. Because Roe versus Wade remains in effect, abortion is still legal in all 50 states even as states enact bans. |
| Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s politics liveblog. | Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s politics liveblog. |
| Last night, Alabama passed the nation’s strictest abortion ban, outlawing the procedure for women and making it a criminal offense for physicians, except in cases where the woman faces fatal complications. | Last night, Alabama passed the nation’s strictest abortion ban, outlawing the procedure for women and making it a criminal offense for physicians, except in cases where the woman faces fatal complications. |
| The bill still must be signed by the state’s Republican governor before it becomes law. Civil rights groups have already promised a lawsuit. | The bill still must be signed by the state’s Republican governor before it becomes law. Civil rights groups have already promised a lawsuit. |
| The bill is part of a wave of new legislation from Republican-led states. Anti-abortion campaigners hope they will reach the US supreme court and challenge Roe versus Wade, the 1973 decision which legalized abortion. | The bill is part of a wave of new legislation from Republican-led states. Anti-abortion campaigners hope they will reach the US supreme court and challenge Roe versus Wade, the 1973 decision which legalized abortion. |
| Here’s what else is happening today: | Here’s what else is happening today: |
| President Trump is expected to speak at the Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service at 11am ET. | President Trump is expected to speak at the Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service at 11am ET. |
| Donald Trump Jr, the president’s eldest son, agreed to testify in a closed-door interview with the Senate Intelligence committee. | Donald Trump Jr, the president’s eldest son, agreed to testify in a closed-door interview with the Senate Intelligence committee. |
| One of the first female Native American lawmakers in Congress is defying Trump’s push to drill for oil on public lands. | One of the first female Native American lawmakers in Congress is defying Trump’s push to drill for oil on public lands. |