Supporters of abortion-rights and anti-abortion rights gathered at the Ohio Statehouse yesterday concerning a bill that, if passed, would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is detected. This could be as early as 6 weeks gestation when many women do not even know they are pregnant yet. The bill does not include exceptions for women who are victims of rape or incest.
Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, of abortion rights advocates, “We will be a constant reminder to legislators that Ohioans are in no mood for an anti-choice agenda to take over the Statehouse.”
The bill passed the Ohio House in June and will now go to the Republican-dominated Senate for a vote. If passed, the law would directly challenge the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which allows women to obtain abortion services until fetal viability at 22-24 weeks and would be one of the most restrictive laws on abortion in the country.
National Partnership for Women & Families 9/21/11; Reuters 9/20/11
