The Georgia State Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the state’s restrictive abortion law would remain in effect, overturning a lower court decision and sending the case back to a Fulton County Superior Court judge.
That means most abortions will continue to be banned once a doctor can detect fetal cardiac activity, typically about six weeks into pregnancy and before many know they are pregnant.
Here’s what some of Georgia’s elected officials and advocacy groups had to say:
“I applaud Justice (Verda) Colvin and the Georgia Supreme Court for ruling today that our written Constitution controls over judge-made law. Today’s victory represents one more step towards ending this litigation and ensuring the lives of Georgians at all ages are protected.”
Colvin wrote the majority opinion
Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, lead plaintiff
“Today’s devastating decision means that our people will continue to face the horrible reality that they are in today where Georgians are suffering because they cannot access abortion care. This abortion ban has forced Georgians to travel across state lines at great expense or continue the life-altering consequences of pregnancy and childbirth against their wills. In a state that already has OB-GYN deserts, one of the highest maternal mortality rates, especially for us as Black women, and cruel anti-trans legislation, this decision only further disregards us, our bodily autonomy, and our lives. We have been resisting this ban that is steeped in white supremacy for years with our partners, and we are not backing down now. We will continue to work to realize our vision for reproductive justice, in which everyone has the right to decide whether or not to have children and raise their children in safe, sustainable communities.”
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
“I have always supported protecting all life, especially the most vulnerable among us — an unborn child. I agree with the court’s decision today. We will continue to ensure women make informed decisions about their health care with their family, doctors and spiritual leaders along with increasing access to health care services and options like adoption.”
Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Nikema Williams
“Today’s disappointing ruling is a direct result of Brian Kemp and Georgia Republicans’ unrelenting assault on Georgians’ reproductive freedom. At every turn, despite knowing his draconian abortion ban is extreme, dangerous, and out of touch, Kemp and his Republican allies have fought tooth and nail to enact it anyway.
Kemp’s abortion ban may stand for now, but Georgia Democrats are not resting in the fight to protect abortion access. Come 2024, we’ll fight to keep anti-abortion extremists out of both the White House and the Statehouse and work to codify protections for reproductive freedom into federal law. Today’s ruling is a blow to Georgians and to reproductive freedom, but the fight continues.”
Attorney General Chris Carr
“We are pleased with the court’s decision and will continue to defend the constitutionality of Georgia’s LIFE Act.”
Georgia’s abortion law is sometimes referred to as the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (or LIFE) Act by supporters
Joe Biden/Kamala Harris 2024 Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez
“Today’s decision in Georgia is a direct result of Donald Trump, Brian Kemp, and MAGA Republicans’ attacks on a woman’s fundamental freedom to make her own health care decisions. As MAGA Republicans running for president champion a national abortion ban, the stakes couldn’t be higher: This election could determine whether every woman in America faces the same terrifying reality Georgians will now face.”
Claire Bartlett, executive director of Georgia Life Alliance, part of an email to supporters
“TODAY IS A HUGE WIN FOR LIFE!
Georgia’s Supreme Court finds that LIFE Act (a.k.a. Heartbeat Bill) was in compliance with U.S. Constitution when enacted.
Georgia Life Alliance applauds Georgia’s Supreme Court for its decision.
The Court did not address the claim that the LIFE Act violates the Georgia Constitution through ‘political interference,’ and sent it back to the lower court for determination. ...
The fight for life continues.
But today, we take a breath and give thanks and acknowledge generations of Georgians for their conviction to the cause of LIFE. That is our win today and we’ll take it. With Conviction and Persistence, Life Wins!”
Georgia Senate Democratic Leader Gloria Butler
“Today is a dark day for reproductive freedom in Georgia. I am angry and disheartened over the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision upholding this abortion ban. This law was clearly unconstitutional at the time of its passage. No matter how Republicans feel about Roe v. Wade, it was the law of the land in 2019. Under Georgia law, this law was void when it passed. Period.
The abortion ban has already caused so much fear and suffering. Fear that an ectopic pregnancy will cost a woman her life. Suffering from being forced to carry a baby to term that the mother knows will die. It is unacceptable. It also unacceptable that this law strips a generation of Georgia’s women of rights their mothers held. We should never leave future generations with less freedom.
But together we can restore the right to make decision about our own bodies. Last year, I introduced (Senate Resolution)136. This measure would recognize every Georgian’s fundamental right to make personal health care decisions. Most importantly, we make a difference at the ballot box.”
Kwajelyn Jackson, executive director of Feminist Women’s Health Center, plaintiff
”It is heart-wrenching that we are being forced to turn patients away who need abortion care beyond the earliest weeks of pregnancy. We have been continuing to get calls from patients across Georgia and the Southeast who have nowhere in their own communities to turn to for care. Abortion is an essential component of reproductive health care, and this law is putting people’s lives at risk. We will continue to fight this ban on behalf of our patients and our communities.”
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