Arizona’s Civil War-era ban on nearly all abortions officially is being repealed Saturday.
The western swing state has been whipsawed over recent months, starting with the Arizona Supreme Court deciding in April to let the state enforce the long-dormant 1864 law that criminalized all abortions except when a woman’s life was jeopardized. Then state lawmakers voted on a bill to repeal that law once and for all.
Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill in May, declaring it was just the beginning of a fight to protect reproductive health care in Arizona.
Wow, this is amazing news! Arizona rocks!
This article makes for a great read - and the photograph of smiling politicians is beautiful too. You can tell they’re genuinely happy with their important accomplishment for women’s rights.
Two notable paragraphs:
It was after the state Supreme Court cleared the way for enforcement that Hobbs urged the state Legislature to take imminent action to undo the ban before it went into effect. Republican lawmakers, who hold a narrow majority in both chambers, derailed discussions about repealing the ban. At one point, the roadblocks resulted in chants of “Shame! Shame!” by outraged Democratic colleagues.
Emotions on the House floor and in the gallery ran high as House Democrats were able to garner the support of three Republicans to pass the repeal legislation two weeks later, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration. Two GOP senators joined with Democrats a week later to grant final approval.
Special thanks to the Democrats for making this work! Plus a few stragglers from the other side.
Stating the obvious, though we don’t need this reminder:
Both parties are not the same.
1000% agree both parties are not the same! Not even close honestly. With that being said I’d still like to acknowledge those 2 GOP senators that broke from the hivemind long enough to support this. Fuck this archaic, draconian law.
Conservatives need to start saying they’re conservative instead of saying they’re republican. Guns everywhere and abortion bans are republican beliefs, not conservative issues.
Conservatives should be demanding more cost effective abortions, not banning them.
Republicans: let the state decide! No big government!
abortion made legal
Republicans: abortion should be a federal law!!
Bit by bit! I grew up in Mesa and still pretty much consider AZ home. Glad progressive things are happening.
Fantastic news!