PHOENIX – Thursday was business as usual for anti-abortion activists. Despite the state Supreme Court’s decision this week, the 1864 abortion law came out executablegroups stood outside abortion clinics with signs and megaphones trying to dissuade people from seeking the procedure.
Matt Engelthaler, 49, held a “Choose Life” sign outside the Camelback Family Planning center. While Tuesday appeared to be a victory for anti-abortion activists, clinics can continue to serve patients for at least two more weeks as the court delays its ruling.
“That’s why we’re here, because even if we win with the Supreme Court, they’re probably going to try to stay open for at least the next two weeks,” he said of the clinic. “For us, any life lost through abortion is unacceptable.”
In 1864, an Arizona law banned abortions from the moment of conception except to save the woman’s life. It made it a crime punishable by two to five years in prison for anyone who performs an abortion or assists a person to perform an abortion. Tuesday’s ruling effectively overturns a lower court’s ruling that the last 15-week ban invalidated the law.
Reproductive rights advocates and supporters like Arizona Attorney General Chris Mayes they called the law “strange” and argued that the 160-year-old policy has no place in the modern political landscape of the state. But Lynn Dyer, 80, of Life Choices Women’s Clinic, doesn’t see it that way. He said he was “overjoyed” after the decision was made.
“I don’t care if the law was made in 1860 or not. It could have been 300 years ago or 500 years in the future. Killing an innocent child is always wrong,” said Dyer.
Seven miles away, at the Acacia Women’s Center, anti-abortion activists took a more aggressive approach. Dr. Ronald Eunice’s name and face were hung on the sidewalks with large, red signs saying that the doctor “kills 150 innocent babies here every month.” Someone was speaking with a megaphone. Others ran up to cars and people entering the center, demanding that they not enter or perform abortions.
James Baird, 39, said the state’s anti-abortion law should criminalize those who attempt to harm women who do not have access to abortion.
“There is no punishment for women,” Baird said. “Women are free under the law to have an abortion with their own hands without any effect of the law.” We want the law to protect these babies, just as the law protects you and me.”
Tuesday’s decision is the latest setback for abortion rights by the US Supreme Court since 2022. Roe v. Wade overturned his convictionFor nearly half a century, which provided the constitutional right to abortion. Since then, about two states have banned or access is severely restricted causing abortions, a wave of legal problems.
Former President Donald Trump, in the past Roe v. He took credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Wade. Abortion decisions should be made on Monday, he said released to the states.
In the days following Tuesday’s decision, reproductive rights groups and advocates held protests across the state. as abortion providers wrestle with how to proceed. On Tuesday, the state Supreme Court said it would delay its decision for 14 days so the lower court could consider “additional constitutional challenges.” Reproductive rights advocates can appeal the decision within a two-week window. Meanwhile, a separate, ongoing suit would allow abortion providers to continue their services from the 15th week of pregnancy through the end of May.
Isabela Espadas Barros Leal contributed.