If you have not been living under a rock all this while, you know that the 54th governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey signed the state's near-total abortion ban on Tuesday, 14th of May. The near-complete ban on abortion has been surrounded by controversies, ever since the subject was raised. The law has been hailed as the most restrictive anti-abortion measure passed in the United States since Roe v. Wade,1973 ( A fundamental "right to privacy" that protects a pregnant woman's freedom to choose whether or not to have an abortion). The near-total ban on abortion, restricts all kinds of abortions except if one is taken in order to save the life of the mother. House Bill 314 called the "Human Life Protection Act" provides an exception only when "abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk" faced by the woman carrying the baby.
What makes it even controversial is that it criminalizes abortions taken place in any other circumstances mentioned above, as a Class A felony. It can be punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors to carry out the abortion procedures. Whereas "abortions attempted" will be considered as a Class C penalty. The bill clearly has no exceptions for women who get impregnated because of rape or incest cases. No legal way to abort the baby, even if the woman is a victim of rape. What needs to be noted is that each one of the votes in favour of the bill was a white Republican male. This even made American actress, producer, activist, Alyssa Milano to tweet "Not one uterus. NOT ONE UTERUS," with the news of abortion ban. Alyssa Milano’s Sex Strike to Protest Wave of Anti-abortion Bills, Spark Debates on Twitter.
Alyssa Milano's tweet:
Not one uterus. NOT ONE UTERUS. https://t.co/WDnTzrU00Z
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 15, 2019
Along with Alyssa Milano, other celebs and politicians are also furiously backlashing at the decision. Hundreds of women have taken to Twitter to share their abortion stories with the #youknowme. Some even tweeted #shoutyourabortion in response to the Senate decision, while the Democrats vow to "fight like hell" to overturn the decision.
Actress Jameela Jamil shared her abortion story too on Twitter and criticised the abortion law ferociously. In a thread of tweets, she wrote ‘It was the best decision I have ever made,' defending her abortion.
Jameela Jamil's tweet against the ban:
This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist. https://t.co/WROYaLAwPG
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist. https://t.co/WROYaLAwPG
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
Take a look at the tweets against the near-total abortion ban in Alabama:
#youknowme
I was sixteen. I had been raped by a school volunteer. The fetus had caused internal bleeding and I was fifteen minutes from dying. I was a Sophomore in high school...dying because of the choice of one man. It was either me or the fetus that was going to die anyway. #youknowme
— Jennifer N (@TheSaltWell) May 15, 2019
Real stories
Almost 60 years ago, my mother had an illegal abortion. It was too harrowing for her to discuss, but she made sure I knew it had happened. In 2010, my wife had a legal abortion after we found out her pregnancy was not viable. We cannot and will not go back. #YouKnowMe #YouKnowUs
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) May 16, 2019
No regrets
I am the 1 of 4. I have zero regrets and owe zero explanations or justifications. What’s happening in Alabama is terrifying and it is a clear & direct attack on women. Everyone should be fucking outraged. #YouKnowMe
— Diana (@_deeveee) May 15, 2019
True stories
#YouKnowMe I was 16 and the condom broke. There was never any question about what I was going to do and I have never regretted it. And I know at least 5 other women who also had one and went on to have kids later once they were ready, and are amazing moms.
— Brandi Dawson (@Brandii_Jade) May 15, 2019
Only 12
I was 12...need I say more??? #YouKnowMe
— Niesha Love🌺 (@loveis716) May 15, 2019
Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp signed the law the state's, "fetal heartbeat" bill, just last week. The bill prohibits abortions after a heartbeat is detected in an embryo. In a normal pregnancy, the heartbeat is detected five to six weeks into a pregnancy.
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