Judge blocks Georgia's 6-week abortion ban
A judge in Georgia has overturned the state's six-week abortion ban. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in his ruling that the bill was, "plainly unconstitutional when drafted, voted upon, and enacted," The Washington Post reports.
The bill was originally from 2019, however, it took effect in July 2022 following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade (1973). The law was one of the strictest in the country, completely banning abortion after about six weeks when cardiac activity can be detected, Axios explains. The law did contain exceptions for when the fetus is considered "medically futile" and for rape and incest if a police report is filed and the fetus is younger than 20 weeks.
For abortion rights activists, the bill was essentially a total ban because many women don't even know they are pregnant until after six weeks. The ACLU called the law a, "highly unorthodox action that will immediately push essential abortion care out of reach for patients."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The law was signed into action by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who just won re-election defeating Stacey Abrams (D). He will likely face pressure from anti-abortion activists to restrict abortion again once legislatures convene, the Post explains. Kara Richardson, spokesperson for Georgia's attorney general told Axios they will, "pursue an immediate appeal and will continue to fulfill [their] duty to defend the laws of [their] state in court."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Georgia's new foreign influence bill
Under the Radar Critics claim the 'Russian law' could stifle dissent and wreck the country's chances of joining the EU
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Italian senate passes law allowing anti-abortion activists into clinics
Under The Radar Giorgia Meloni scores a political 'victory' but will it make much difference in practice?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
ATF finalizes rule to close 'gun show loophole'
Speed Read Biden moves to expand background checks for gun buyers
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hong Kong passes tough new security law
Speed Read It will allow the government to further suppress all forms of dissent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
France enshrines abortion rights in constitution
speed read It became the first country to make abortion a constitutional right
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas executes man despite contested evidence
Speed Read Texas rejected calls for a rehearing of Ivan Cantu's case amid recanted testimony and allegations of suppressed exculpatory evidence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court wary of state social media regulations
Speed Read A majority of justices appeared skeptical that Texas and Florida were lawfully protecting the free speech rights of users
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Greece legalizes same-sex marriage
Speed Read Greece becomes the first Orthodox Christian country to enshrine marriage equality in law
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published