Yesterday a judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, ruled that HB481, the Georgia abortion ban, is unconstitutional. HB 481 essentially banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy with few exceptions. The judge ruled in the summary judgement phase, which means that the evidence of a constitutional violation was so overwhelming that a trial would not be needed. The judge stated that the law violated a woman’s constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade, and that the “constitutional liberty of the woman to have some freedom to terminate her pregnancy” is inhibited by the law.” Georgia’s current abortion ban of 20-weeks remains in effect.
This case can be appealed, and will likely be so, but overall this is a wonderful victory for Reproductive Justice advocates. SisterLove stands by its belief and commitment to the reproductive justice and freedom of all women and people of reproductive capacity. This bill is an unconstitutional assault on reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. All Georgians deserve access to quality health care, including access to abortion, and other reproductive health services. We stand with our Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition partners; the doctors, lawyers, and clergy who testified against this bill; and the brave Georgians who have shared their stories. Although this is a victory, the fight is not over.
This case is continuing to be updated, but click here for more information.