Women’s health has been disregarded in Florida in favor of a far-right agenda. On May 1, the state’s already restrictive 15-week abortion ban was cut to six weeks, a time when many women don’t even know they’re pregnant.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female to hold the office, spoke in Jacksonville as the ban took effect, saying, “As of this morning, four million women in this state woke up with fewer reproductive freedoms than they had last night. Starting this morning, women in Florida became subject to an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant.”
The VP has been a vocal advocate for reproductive freedom.
Florida follows at least 19 other states with little or no access to abortion. These laws were made possible when the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and allowed states to decide individually.
The new restrictions may not be the last word. Amendment 4 will be on the ballot in November, but needs 60% to pass.
In recent years, Republicans in Tallahassee have also attacked trans healthcare, drag entertainment, and enacted “Don’t Say Gay.”