FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2016
Media Release – Alabama Reproductive Rights Advocates (ARRA) group speaks out on Abortion Rights Rulings
Huntsville, AL, October 28, 2016 — ARRA commends the ruling by a federal judge blocking two laws today that would have restricted abortions in Alabama, including one that would prevent clinics from operating within 2,000 feet of public schools.
The second law would ban dilation and evacuation abortions, which are considered safe and commonly performed in the second trimester.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson’s Thursday ruling blocks the implementation of the laws because they will likely be found unconstitutional.
In the opinion, Thompson wrote that the state’s efforts to reduce disruption at schools located near two clinics placed an undue burden on women seeking abortion.
“The record contains absolutely no evidence of concerns expressed by the school’s students or their parents about the Huntsville clinic or the demonstrations near it… It’s long past time for our elected officials to stop wasting time and taxpayer money passing laws that violate women’s constitutional rights and start focusing on the needs of women and families in this state,” Susan Thompson, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama wrote.
The closure of two of the state’s five abortion clinics would disproportionately affect low-income women who would have to drive further, even out of state, to get abortions, Thompson wrote. Huntsville and Tuscaloosa clinics would have bee affected.
The ACLU of Alabama has challenged seven abortion restrictions passed in Alabama during the last three years.
Overturning Roe VS Wade doesn’t mean women go to “another state” it means something far worse!
Pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion. We do not advocate abortion over birth – we simply defend the right of women to decide for themselves. The pro-choice movement supports and works towards preventing unwanted pregnancies, reducing abortion, promoting contraception, educating women and youth, and ensuring families have the necessary resources to raise healthy, happy children.
The Alabama House of Representatives has put HB 527, the so called “2000 foot bill” that equates reproductive health centers with sex offenders on their special order calendar for Tuesday, May 27 at 1PM to be voted on the House floor. It is #7 on the special order calendar, If you can make it to the State House in Montgomery, we need you there in the front row of the gallery wearing your best prochoice gear to show the lawmakers that we will not idly stand by while our legal healthcare rights are taken away from us! This bill could close EVERY reproductive healthcare center in the state. No signs are allowed in the gallery, which is on the 7th floor.
Here is our statement on the House vote on HB 527:
“Alabama Reproductive Rights Advocates stands firmly against HB 527 and the targeted attack on womens healthcare in Alabama. This bill was brought about out of the frustrations of the anti-abortion protesters in North Alabama who have been attempting to block access by manipulating existing laws unsuccessfully. These protesters are now seeking to use the Alabama State Legislature as a pawn at the expense of the taxpayers to carry out a personal vendetta. By likening a health care facility to a sex offender in the wording of the bill it is clear that the intent is not to make women safer, but to deny access in Huntsville. These last minute attempts to force this bill through the legislature would be better served to fix our state budget, and not create an ongoing legal battle by violating the constitutional rights of Alabama citizens.”
Giving every Alabama woman a voice for choice.
