Amid the Republicans-led “war on abortion”, the pro-choice activists have planned to stage protests across the US today (Tuesday) in an attempt to stop a wave of anti-abortion laws being introduced in the states where the Republicans are in majority.
More than 50 organisations – including the American Civil Liberties Union and NARAL Pro-Choice America – participating in #StopTheBans protests that are scheduled to be held at noon in almost all 50 states.
"Across the country, we are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access," organisers said.
"This is Trump's anti-choice movement... and it's terrifying, particularly for women of colour and low-income women who are most affected by these bans."
But this reaction reflects the overall anxiety in the United States where the White House is openly critical of those exercising or trying to protect basic freedoms, like the press, but supports the gun lobby despite the unending series of mass shootings. President Trump is known worldwide for listing every critical report as fake news President Trump is known worldwide for listing every critical report as fake news, as he is not a fan of independent media.
Trump enjoys the support of far-right which, many believe, is also promoting the extremist views by echoing and yielding to their demands.
The anti-abortion views are a common feature among the populist and far-right parties, including in Europe and Brazil.
These protests are in response to the recently introduced anti-abortion laws in Alabama and Georgia. It would make abortion illegal in virtually all cases, including cases of rape and incest.
Last week, Alabama enacted the strictest abortion law in the country. It would make abortion illegal in virtually all cases, including cases of rape and incest. The new law says doctors who perform an abortion could face up to 99 years in prison – similar to punishment for rapists and murderers.
But due to legal challenges, it could be years before the Alabama’s law takes effect, if it ever does at all.
And in Georgia, a so-called "heartbeat law” has been enacted, meaning virtually all abortions are illegal once a heartbeat is detected.
That can be as early as six weeks, which is before an embryo becomes a fetus, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Several states already have similar laws, including Mississippi and Ohio. And more states, including Missouri and Louisiana, could enact "heartbeat bills."
Abortion rights activists say these kinds of restrictive laws are an attack on Roe v Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US.
"We will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women," organizers of Tuesday's protests said.
"Politicians shouldn't be making decisions best left to women, their families, and their doctors."
Incidentally, the National Right to Life – the largest anti-abortion organisation in the country – said it is fighting a different kind of national wave.
"We bet you are frustrated. You are frustrated with the extreme pro-abortion agenda that seems to be taking over our country," Right to Life tweeted. It called for supporters to attend its national convention in July.
Perhaps the one thing both sides of the debate can agree on is whether new abortion restrictions are meant to challenge Roe v Wade.
The Alabama legislation was actually designed specifically to go to the Supreme Court and challenge Roe v Wade, said Eric Johnston, president of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition. The coalition helped draft the Alabama bill.
But it can take years for the Supreme Court to hear a case, if it chooses to hear the case at all. The nation's highest court decides which cases it wants to take.
Meanwhile, there is a serious problem for the rights activists, as the judges with conservative views are in majority in the Supreme Court with the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh in October last year.
More than 50 organisations – including the American Civil Liberties Union and NARAL Pro-Choice America – participating in #StopTheBans protests that are scheduled to be held at noon in almost all 50 states.
"Across the country, we are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access," organisers said.
"This is Trump's anti-choice movement... and it's terrifying, particularly for women of colour and low-income women who are most affected by these bans."
But this reaction reflects the overall anxiety in the United States where the White House is openly critical of those exercising or trying to protect basic freedoms, like the press, but supports the gun lobby despite the unending series of mass shootings. President Trump is known worldwide for listing every critical report as fake news President Trump is known worldwide for listing every critical report as fake news, as he is not a fan of independent media.
Trump enjoys the support of far-right which, many believe, is also promoting the extremist views by echoing and yielding to their demands.
The anti-abortion views are a common feature among the populist and far-right parties, including in Europe and Brazil.
These protests are in response to the recently introduced anti-abortion laws in Alabama and Georgia. It would make abortion illegal in virtually all cases, including cases of rape and incest.
Last week, Alabama enacted the strictest abortion law in the country. It would make abortion illegal in virtually all cases, including cases of rape and incest. The new law says doctors who perform an abortion could face up to 99 years in prison – similar to punishment for rapists and murderers.
But due to legal challenges, it could be years before the Alabama’s law takes effect, if it ever does at all.
And in Georgia, a so-called "heartbeat law” has been enacted, meaning virtually all abortions are illegal once a heartbeat is detected.
That can be as early as six weeks, which is before an embryo becomes a fetus, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Several states already have similar laws, including Mississippi and Ohio. And more states, including Missouri and Louisiana, could enact "heartbeat bills."
Abortion rights activists say these kinds of restrictive laws are an attack on Roe v Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US.
"We will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women," organizers of Tuesday's protests said.
"Politicians shouldn't be making decisions best left to women, their families, and their doctors."
Incidentally, the National Right to Life – the largest anti-abortion organisation in the country – said it is fighting a different kind of national wave.
"We bet you are frustrated. You are frustrated with the extreme pro-abortion agenda that seems to be taking over our country," Right to Life tweeted. It called for supporters to attend its national convention in July.
Perhaps the one thing both sides of the debate can agree on is whether new abortion restrictions are meant to challenge Roe v Wade.
The Alabama legislation was actually designed specifically to go to the Supreme Court and challenge Roe v Wade, said Eric Johnston, president of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition. The coalition helped draft the Alabama bill.
But it can take years for the Supreme Court to hear a case, if it chooses to hear the case at all. The nation's highest court decides which cases it wants to take.
Meanwhile, there is a serious problem for the rights activists, as the judges with conservative views are in majority in the Supreme Court with the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh in October last year.