By Aaron Miller-
The Arizona Senate has voted to repeal a 160-year-old statute banning nearly all abortions, sparking both celebration and heated debate across the state.
The repeal effort gained traction after the law was reinstated by the state’s Supreme Court just three weeks prior, catapulting abortion rights into the forefront of Arizona’s political battleground.
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The 1864 law, a relic predating Arizona’s statehood, imposed severe restrictions on abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, and threatened prison terms for those involved in the procedure.
Its resurrection by the Supreme Court sent shockwaves through the state, reigniting the long-standing battle over reproductive rights.
Democrats, buoyed by newfound support from two Republican senators, clinched the votes needed to pass the repeal in the Senate. With the Democratic governor expected to ratify the measure, Arizona inches closer to shedding the archaic abortion ban.
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Victoria López, Director of Program and Strategy for the ACLU of Arizona, hailed the repeal as a victory against “inhumane abortion bans” that have plagued the state for years. She emphasized the lasting harm inflicted on individuals seeking abortions and their providers by such restrictive laws.
However, the repeal’s victory lap is tempered by the looming threat of alternative abortion restrictions proposed by conservative lawmakers.
The potential reinstatement of a 2022 statute banning procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy looms large, underscoring the ongoing battle for reproductive rights in the state.
Despite the repeal’s passage, abortion rights advocates stress that the fight is far from over. Ruben Gallego, a US representative from Arizona, emphasized the need to cement abortion rights constitutionally, underscoring ongoing efforts to pass a ballot measure in November.
The Arizona for Abortion Access initiative has seen a surge in support since the ban’s reinstatement, reflecting growing momentum for reproductive rights in the state.
However, the issue remains deeply divisive, exerting immense pressure on Arizona’s GOP, torn between conservative factions advocating for stringent abortion restrictions and swing voters opposing such measures.
Republican lawmakers are reportedly mulling competing abortion proposals for the November ballot, including a 14-week ban and a “heartbeat protection act” prohibiting abortions after six weeks.
The outcome of these proposals could significantly influence the state’s political landscape, particularly in a pivotal swing state like Arizona.
Image: Frederic J. Brown, AFP
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