Originally Published May 21 2019

Abortion is one of the most controversial topics in the United States at present. This medical procedure has been a livid debate for decades, and the divide between pro-choice and pro-life supporters has only gotten worse as lawmakers aim to pass bills that put restrictions on abortions or outright ban it. Fortunately, these bills are usually met with protests from activists who want to protect women’s rights to obtaining safe, legal medical procedures. Currently, abortions are still legal in all 50 states thanks to Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. This momentous case legalized abortion so that women could be allowed to access this procedure safely. For almost 50 years this amendment has protected women’s rights, but now lawmakers, primarily in the South, are challenging that decision.

In Alabama, a bill that would almost completely ban abortion in the state was passed last week in the Alabama Senate with a vote of 25-6 .

The overwhelming number of votes for the law came entirely from men. Not a single woman voted in favor of the law that would control their right to obtain an abortion.

“It’s really dumb because they’re all white men and it’s not fair because they don’t have the right to control a woman’s body,” Gianna Ngo explained.

“I don’t think it’s fair, mostly because of who was able to vote on when the law passes, especially because those people don’t have uteruses and they don’t know what it’s like,” Payton Zarceno added.

This law, which will start to be enforced in November, would punish doctors with up to 99 years in prison if they performed an abortion. The law also stated that abortions would only be legal if a mother’s life was in danger or if the fetus was damaged. This means that abortions for victims of rape and incest would be illegal in almost all circumstances.

Pro-choice supporters were outraged and both the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood threatened to sue Alabama. However, a court case is what the sponsors of the bill wanted. Specifically, a Supreme Court case. The bill’s sponsors want to overrule Roe v. Wade in an effort to allow states to completely ban or put severe, unconstitutional restrictions on abortions. But before the case can be passed onto the Supreme Court, the law must first pass through the lower courts where the losing party will then file for an appeal. The law will likely be passed onto the Supreme Court for the Justices to review the case. If the case goes to the Supreme Court there is a possibility that the Justices will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade and thus allow the abortion ban to proceed in Alabama. With Roe v. Wade overturned, women will have almost no control over abortion bans which will limit their reproductive rights.

For decades, women have dealt with the stigma and restrictions that come with having an abortion. Allowing women to decide what is best for themselves is the only solution to this highly debated issue. To protect this right, more women and people of color should have the opportunity to voice their opinions because they are the people being affected by the restrictions the most.

“Women’s rights have come a long way, but in situations like this we need more female voices to speak up for the population especially because this is an issue concerning women and their rights as humans,” stated Payton Zarceno.