During her visit to Arizona, Vice President Kamala Harris strongly criticized Donald Trump for his alleged role in the reinstatement of an 1864 abortion ban by the state Supreme Court. She argued that this decision posed a significant threat to reproductive rights, referring to it as a “full-on” attack.
“We need to recognize who is responsible for this situation. According to Harris, it was Former President Donald Trump who caused all of this,” she stated on Friday during a campaign event for President Joe Biden in Tucson, Arizona. Addressing a group of approximately 100 supporters, Harris firmly asserted, “Donald Trump is the one who created this healthcare crisis.”
Just days after the Arizona Supreme Court’s 4-2 decision on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris made a visit to Arizona. The court upheld a ban on almost all abortions that dates back to before Arizona became a state. The majority of the court justified their decision by pointing to the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, which removed the constitutional right to an abortion and made this century-old law enforceable.
“The overturning of Roe unquestionably sent shockwaves through the nation, and Arizona’s abortion ban is undoubtedly one of the most significant repercussions,” remarked Harris, highlighting the ban as a novel turning point.”
The recent events have made it abundantly clear that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was merely the beginning of a broader plan to undermine women’s rights and liberties. It is a calculated move in a comprehensive campaign aimed at restricting reproductive freedom, one state at a time.
The Biden campaign has made a strong effort to emphasize that Trump’s three Supreme Court appointments played a significant role in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in June 2022, which resulted in the removal of Roe protections. Arizona holds great importance as a battleground state in the 2024 election, with Biden having narrowly won over Trump in 2020.
Just moments before Harris spoke, Trump, the Republican nominee, made a statement to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. He stated that a nationwide ban on abortion is no longer necessary as he believes that “we broke Roe v. Wade,” which he claims grants the states the ultimate decision-making power. Despite distancing himself from the Arizona ruling, Trump emphasized that the states are effectively handling the issue and that everything is going according to plan.
Harris, who is spearheading the Biden administration’s efforts to protect reproductive rights, swiftly responded to Trump’s comments.
According to Harris, a potential second term for Trump would be even more detrimental, despite the harm he has already inflicted. She accuses Trump of “gaslighting” by claiming he does not support a national abortion ban. Harris asserts that it is evident from his past actions that if given the opportunity, Trump would indeed sign such a ban.
Enforcing Arizona’s ban on abortions could potentially result in the complete cessation of legal abortion procedures within the state. This law stipulates that individuals found guilty of assisting in an abortion could face imprisonment for a period of two to five years, unless the procedure is deemed necessary to save the life of the mother.
Following the court ruling, several providers have expressed their intention to continue offering abortions for pregnancies up to 15 weeks, at least temporarily, possibly until May. This decision is influenced by an existing court ruling in a different case.
Arizona voters may have the opportunity to decide on the fate of the state’s abortion law. Advocates for abortion rights have successfully gathered over 500,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 383,923 signatures. Their efforts aim to introduce a measure on the November ballot, seeking to enshrine protection for abortion access in the Arizona Constitution.
An abortion referendum in Arizona could provide a significant advantage to the Biden campaign, as they aim to prioritize the restoration of abortion rights as a key issue in the upcoming 2024 campaign. Democrats have witnessed success in various state referendums concerning abortion since the decline of Roe v. Wade, with these victories playing a crucial role in energizing the party and surpassing expectations during the 2022 midterms.
According to Harris, a second term under Trump would entail increased bans, heightened suffering, and diminished freedom. Drawing parallels to his actions in Arizona, she asserts that he aims to regress America to the 1800s. However, Harris affirms that they will not allow such a scenario to unfold.
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