The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that an 1864 near-total ban on abortion is valid and could potentially outlaw abortion in the Grand Canyon State. Such a decision is already rocking the state, as pro-choice activists have already begun mobilizing against it.
The Arizona Republic described how the ban, first codified in the 1864 Howell Code from Arizona's days as a territory before achieving statehood in 1912, would mandate five years in prison for anyone who assists in an abortion, except in cases where the mother's life is at risk.
Although advocates have already collected over 500,000 signatures to make the issue a ballot measure, the Republic also noted that it is unlikely Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) and Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes will enforce the measure despite the chances of opposition.
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On X (formerly Twitter), Gov. Hobbs said as such, "It is a dark day in Arizona. We are just fourteen days away from one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. But my message to Arizona women is this: I won't rest, and I won't stop fighting until we have secured the right to abortion. That is my promise to you."
It is a dark day in Arizona. We are just fourteen days away from one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country.
But my message to Arizona women is this: I won't rest, and I won't stop fighting until we have secured the right to abortion.
That is my promise to you.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) April 9, 2024
State Senator Christine Marsh (D) called the decision "disappointing and dangerous" and suggested "it tells women that they are not to be trusted to make decisions about their own healthcare and reproductive rights."
Today’s ruling returning Arizona to a territorial-era abortion ban is disappointing and dangerous. My full thoughts: pic.twitter.com/Ll8z36cwqD
— Senator Christine Marsh (@ChristinePMarsh) April 9, 2024
Similarly, Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ), said "women will die" because of the decision and vowed to codify Roe v. Wade into Federal law.
My statement on the Arizona Supreme Court's decision. pic.twitter.com/92rDz1BYnl
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) April 9, 2024
Notably, the decision came the day after former President Donald Trump issued a statement saying the states should decide abortion laws, which rankled some pro-life Republicans.
However, Kari Lake, who is running against Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to replace Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), agreed with Trump in her response to the new ruling, calling the 1864 ruling "out of step with Arizonans" and that "this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people. I oppose today's ruling, and I am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support."
My statement regarding today’s Arizona Supreme Court Abortion Ruling⤵️ pic.twitter.com/bNAjXd80TN
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) April 9, 2024
