The abortion debate continues to rage in the United States. Women’s activists believe that California will become a safe haven for travelers from states that have banned abortion.
LOS ANGELES Disbelief, rage, sadness, anger, disappointment. These are the words used by women’s activists to describe the restriction of the right to abortion in the United States.
– We are living in dangerous and scary times, one of them, a home bakery entrepreneur, tells Amanda Rykoff.
In mid-July, Rykoff attended a bake sale in Culver City where bakers raised funds for the National Abortion Fund. He is the vice president of organizational activities at The Heart of LA Democratic Club.
The court’s ruling meant that states would be allowed to decide for themselves whether they would allow abortion. Women’s ability to terminate a pregnancy was immediately restricted in different parts of the country.
Rykoff stresses that removing the right to abortion is an abuse of power and trampling on women’s rights.
– If it were men, getting an abortion would be as easy as withdrawing cash from an ATM. This is about trying to control women.
Abortion is prohibited in some states completely or allowed only in exceptional circumstances. At least 11 other states have tightened or are about to make it illegal to get an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Changes to the law are made almost daily.
More than half of the states are in the process of banning abortion completely or significantly restricting the possibility of termination of pregnancy.
– Everyone should be able to decide for themselves whether now is the right time to bring a child into this world, but forced births are taking place in other states. It’s overwhelming, Rykoff says.
At the beginning of July, there was an uproar in the United States when it was reported to the public about a 10-year-old rape victim who became pregnant in Ohio.
The child had to travel to the state of Indiana for an abortion. Even the health of the mother – in this case the child – or getting pregnant due to rape or incest does not justify an abortion in Ohio.
Travel ban possible
Professor at Harvard University Law School I. Glenn Cohen believes that the free movement of Americans may be restricted by prohibiting travel for an abortion to a state where the procedure is legal.
Travel bans are already in the works in certain states. In the US Senate, Republican senators defeated a bill that would have guaranteed free travel to secure access to an abortion.
Just the thought of a ban makes a home bakery in Los Angeles run Winter Fate Morvant in a fit of rage.
– I can’t fathom this nonsense. How come these old Caucasian men have foreheads and the right to decide what I do with my body!
Morvant is the founder of the organization Leipojat racismias vagain. Sales to support the National Abortion Fund were also his idea. The fund provides information and financial support to cover the cost of an abortion, such as travel to another state.
– I am really disappointed that my rights as a woman have been buried under a pile of dirt. Fortunately, my rights in California are protected, but my home state does not appreciate it, Morvant uploads.
Leipoja is from Louisiana, where abortion was banned right after the Roe vs. Wade decision. The ban was temporarily overturned by legislation.
Morvant says he supports a doctor who plans to set up floating abortion clinics along the Gulf of Mexico beach. State laws do not apply there. The clinic could serve Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, which have strict abortion laws.
– I think people will start traveling to another state to get an abortion, especially to California. We are open-minded here, less judgmental, and there are more resources here, Morvant thinks.
There is a fear of a health care crisis
Abortion laws are not weakening in Democrat-controlled California, as they are in other liberal states on the East and West coasts. In California, on the contrary, efforts are being made to strengthen the right to abortion.
Voters will get to decide in November’s election whether an amendment to the California constitution should be made that would clearly protect the right to abortion. A pregnancy may be terminated in the state up to 24–26 weeks or later if the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life.
Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an order that says California will not share medical records with anti-abortion states and will not deport doctors who treat abortion patients who come to California.
In some anti-abortion states, such as Louisiana and Texas, simply helping or advising a woman to obtain an abortion is criminalized.
Rykoff is worried about the future of young people and minorities in states that have banned abortion.
– I don’t know if people will travel to California for an abortion from far away, but certainly at least from neighboring states, Rykoff thinks.
He emphasizes that it is also a financial issue. Women’s career advancement is hindered or made difficult when they have to take time off from work to give birth and take care of children. Employers are not required to provide maternity leave in the United States.
Rykoff fears that closing abortion clinics will lead to a health care crisis.
– Well-to-do people always have options. Banning abortion disproportionately affects people of color and minorities. They may no longer have the opportunity to receive even basic sexual health services.
Rykoff says he is cautiously optimistic about the future. He urges his acquaintances to vote for women and pro-abortion candidates in the November midterm elections.
You can discuss the topic until Friday at 11 p.m.