Oklahoma bans abortion day after leaked court ruling

Republican Governor Kevin Stitt makes on Twitter known to have signed the ‘heartbeat’ law.

With the measure coming into effect, women in the state will no longer be able to have an abortion if a heartbeat is detected in the fetus, often after about six weeks of pregnancy. At that time, however, many women do not yet know that they are pregnant.

Looks like Texas law

The ordinance is similar to the controversial law passed by Texas last year. Institutions that assist in performing an abortion can be sued by all residents of the state. The snitch can earn up to $10,000 that way, ABC News writes.

The new law in Oklahoma allows an abortion if the mother’s life is in danger. In the case of rape or incest, an abortion is not possible.

‘Shock in the US’

Yesterday a draft plan about abolishing the abortion law was leaked. The US Supreme Court confirmed its authenticity, but said the plan is not yet final. In this article, correspondent Erik Mouthaan explains why the Court’s plans are causing such a shock in the United States.

After having an abortion was banned in Texas last year, many women flocked to Oklahoma for the procedure. That is no longer possible from now on.

‘Continuous attacks on abortion’

“It will be a lot more difficult to have an abortion in conservative states,” Mouthaan said yesterday. “If this Court’s plan does become final, it could mean that abortion is no longer an option for about half of American women.”

US President Joe Biden has announced he will oppose the Court’s plans. His government wants to respond to ‘the ongoing attacks on abortion’, but according to Mouthaan that will be difficult because the Democrats no longer have a majority in the Senate.

Demonstrations

In the meantime, thousands of people demonstrated in several American cities yesterday for and against the right to abortion. Especially in front of the Court building in Washington DC and on New York’s Foley Square, many protesters were gathered.