Texas Abortion Prohibition: What is happening and how to help – Wired PR Lifestyle Story

Yesterday, Texas banned abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy – with no exceptions to rape or incest. It is the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. We wanted to determine what was going on and how to help …

What is happening in Texas?
The Texas Abortion Act, known as the Senate Bill 8, went into effect on Wednesday, September 1st. The law prohibits most abortions when heart activity can be detected in the embryo – usually around six weeks of pregnancy. They start six weeks very early in pregnancy, and many women don’t even know they are pregnant at that stage. (I didn’t know I was pregnant with Toby in six weeks!)

So most women won’t be able to have an abortion?
This new law is almost completely banned in Texas. Eight% to 90% of state procedures occur after the sixth week of pregnancy. “When a pregnant woman loses her time, she is four weeks pregnant, as usually defined by doctors,” they reported. In the New York Times. “Under Texas law, then, a woman would have about two weeks to know her condition, confirm her pregnancy with a test, decide how to manage her pregnancy, and get an abortion.”

And rape or incest?
Texas law is no exception in pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

How did Roe v. Wade? Doesn’t that make the law unconstitutional?
Roe v. Wade was the decision of the Supreme Court in 1973, when the Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a woman’s freedom to choose whether or not to perform an abortion before the viability of the fetus (usually about 24 weeks).

But, the new Texas law was deliberately written as a tough challenge. Here’s why: If you want to try to block a law for being unconstitutional, you would usually take a lawsuit that designates state officials as defendants. However! Texas law prohibits state officials from enforcing this. Instead, it is replaced by law private citizens denouncing anyone who “helps or helps” abortion.

So can ordinary people complain about anyone who “helps or helps” abortion?
Exactly. People cannot report the patient, but they can report doctors, nurses, clinic staff, reproductive rights counselors, friends, or relatives who help pay for the procedure. “An Uber driver who takes a patient to an abortion clinic can also report it,” she says In the New York Times. The plaintiffs do not have to live in Texas and have no connection to abortion. If they win, they will be paid $ 10,000 and the attorney will be entitled to pay.

What did the Supreme Court say about that law?
With 4 votes to 5, the Supreme Court refused to block Texas law on Wednesday night. The law challenged abortion providers for not properly targeting “complex and new” procedural questions. On a good note, the Court stressed that it was not resolved on the constitutionality of Texas law and that people could sue in court. But in the meantime, the law remains in force.

What are the reasons why a woman can or needs an abortion?
If the woman is a victim of rape or incest. If the unborn fetus or woman has health problems. If the birth would cause psychological trauma. If a woman cannot afford a child. Having a child greatly impedes a woman’s ability to educate, work, or care for her dependents. If birth control fails and the woman does not want children. Because of his choice and body.

Can’t women travel outside of Texas to get abortions?
Yes, theoretically, and they can find verified suppliers here or here. But for many people, traveling outside the state can be difficult or impossible. Low-income people, undocumented immigrants, teenagers, parents with no kindergarten, people with strict work schedules, and many others may not have the time, money, transportation, or ability to travel to get the procedure.

“I’m thinking of black, brown, low-income, weird, and young people in Texas,” tweeted Representative Cori Bush. “This ban on abortion health care will harm people disproportionately. Wealthy white people will have the resources to care for abortion. Our communities will not do it.”

How can we help? Where can we give?
Good question! Here are some places to help:

* Make a donation to the Texas Abortion Fund. For years these organizations have been providing emotional, financial, legal, transportation and accommodation assistance to anyone who is having an abortion. They are a list of funds Lilith Fund, Texas Equal Access Fund, Texas Choice fund, Buckle Bunnies Fund, Help Sistah, Western Fund, Collective Bridge and Clinic Access Support Network. If you are a minor, Food process provides free legal aid. Or you can give ActBlue and divide your donation into 10 different funds.

* Help Texas organizers. Created and directed by Black womxn, Afiya Center organizes and advocates for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care from a racial justice perspective.

* Set up a monthly donation Planned Parenthood or ACLU. These organizations help to fight for reproductive freedom and civil liberties.

Let’s talk: how do you feel about this new law? Do you have any suggestions on other ways to help? Please share below and thank you very much. xo

(Photo by Montinique Monroe in The New York Times.)