BREAKING NEWS: Judge lifts injunction on Arizona 1901 abortion law
(KYMA, KECY) - The Pima Superior Court has decided to lift an injunction on the Arizona abortion law, banning nearly all abortions unless the mother's life is in danger.
The Arizona territory-era law banning nearly all abortions has been reinstated after a Pima County Judge ruled to lift the injunction on it, it was placed after Roe v. Wade went into law in 1973.
The ban from 1901 before Arizona was even a state would block nearly all abortions regardless of how long a woman is pregnant, that is unless her life is in danger.
Here's what leaders and organizations have to say about the new ruling.
“This decision will have a devastating impact on the freedom Arizona women have had for decades: to choose an abortion if they need one. Let’s be clear, this is exactly what Blake Masters wants, to completely ban abortions in Arizona and across the country - without even an exception for rape or incest. I will never stop fighting to restore these rights for Arizona women," Arizona Senator Mark Kelly stated.
“Today’s ruling by the Pima county superior court has the practical and deplorable result of sending Arizonans back nearly 150 years. No archaic law should dictate our reproductive freedom and how we live our lives today,” said Brittany Fonteno, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona.
"A Pima County judge lifted an injunction that was placed on AZ’s abortion statute. We applaud the court for upholding the will of the legislature and providing clarity and uniformity on this important issue. I have and will continue to protect the most vulnerable Arizonans," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
"I am outraged and devastated by today’s decision by the Pima County Superior Court to allow a territorial ban on abortion to take effect. …This cruel law effectively outlaws abortion in Arizona — with no exceptions for rape or incest — and risks women’s fundamental freedom to make their own health care decisions. As a social worker, I’ve seen first-hand how restricting women’s autonomy and creating barriers to their health care access hurts their physical and mental wellbeing. I am terrified of the severe, life-threatening impacts this law will have on Arizonans, and I know many Arizonans feel this fear today too," stated Democratic Governor candidate Katie Hobbs.
"Today’s ruling is a devastating decision and marks a dark day in Arizona’s history. No one should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term against their will. By allowing this archaic law to go into effect, Arizona has put the lives of pregnant people at risk and will send doctors to prison for doing what’s best for their patient,” said Jennifer Allen, executive director for the ACLU of Arizona. "Our vote now holds more power than ever. Elected officials, like county attorneys, have the power to exercise their prosecutorial discretion and decline to go after physicians. We encourage voters to elect those who will do everything within their power to protect abortion access."
“When someone decides to have an abortion, it should be safe, affordable, and free from punishment and judgement. This ruling does the opposite," Representative Athena Salman said. "By rolling back the clock almost 160 years the radical right has taken Arizona backwards. Any pregnant person and their doctors will live under threat of prosecution for seeking or providing any medical care that results in an early termination of a pregnancy. This violates what the vast majority of Arizonans want. For years I have introduced legislation to repeal this antiquated law, only to have the bill shelved by the extremists controlling the legislature. We deserve better."
"Criminalizing abortion puts the life and freedom of every pregnant person at risk," Representative Melody Hernandez said. "But we know who this ruling will impact most severely -- people of color, underserved communities and those who aren't wealthy. Volunteering to help women seeking abortions this week, I saw people from all different age groups, teens up to early 50s, all backgrounds, people who had not easily made this intimate and deeply personal decision. When the procedures were over, I saw relief, like a weight lifted and they had their life back. Criminalizing healthcare is just wrong, and Arizona will not stand for it."
“This ruling is the outcome of a decades-long attack on women, reproductive health, and individual liberty. The Republican party that has delivered this blow to millions of Arizonans knows exactly the kind of hell they were crafting. This will kill women, break apart families, and trap so many into generational cycles of abuse and poverty. It is hateful and disgusting. Our fight will continue despite Republican attacks. We will continue to fight for the rights of every Arizonan. No healthcare decision should be decided by the government," stated the Senate Democratic Leadership.
