It is a new step backwards on the right to abortion in the United States. Kellie Johnson, judge of Pima County in Arizona, rendered a decision on Friday, September 23, which reactivates a 19th century law almost completely prohibiting voluntary termination of pregnancy in this state.
The magistrate relies in her judgment on the recent decision of the very conservative American Supreme Court, which dynamited at the end of June the right to abortion that its jurisprudence guaranteed since 1973 throughout the American territory. Since then, several conservative American states have implemented total or partial bans on abortion.
Kellie Johnson therefore considered that the decision of the high court had wiped the slate clean, and returned the law in the matter to what it was before 1973. This has the consequence, according to several American media, including the New York Times (in English)to reinstate extremely restrictive texts dating from 1864 and 1901 – before American women had the right to vote and even before this western state officially joined the United States in 1912.
The White House reacts strongly
The Democratic Party, led by President Joe Biden, hopes to mobilize voters to defend access to abortion at the polls during the midterm elections in November, which will partially renew the Senate and completely renew the House of Representatives. The White House spokeswoman condemned on Saturday “the potentially catastrophic, dangerous and unacceptable consequences” of this decision.
“If this decision is confirmed, health workers will face up to five years in prison if they fulfill their duty of care; survivors of rape and incest would be forced to bear the children of their attackers; and (pregnant) women with health problems would face terrible risks”she said in a statement.
