Georgia (USA) makes abortion punishable by life imprisonment.

[Oldstyle]

New legislation HB 481 only allows abortion up to 6 weeks. It has massive consequences for women who get abortions from doctors or miscarry. A woman who seeks out an illegal abortion from a health care provider would be a party to murder, subject to life in prison. And a woman who miscarries because of her own conduct—say, using drugs or alcohol while pregnant—would be liable for second-degree murder, punishable by 10 to 30 years’ imprisonment. Prosecutors may interrogate women who miscarry to determine whether they can be held responsible; if they find evidence of culpability, they may charge, detain, and try these women for the death of their fetuses.

Even women who seek lawful abortions out of state may not escape punishment. If a Georgia resident plans to travel elsewhere to obtain an abortion, she may be charged with conspiracy to commit murder, punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment. An individual who helps a woman plan her trip to get an out-of-state abortion, or transports her to the clinic, may also be charged with conspiracy to end of the life of a “person” with “full legal recognition” under Georgia law.

This is a shocking assault on women's health, autonomy and reproductive rights. The intention to 'interrogate' women who miscarry to check for 'blame' is inhuman. Apparently 28 other states are intending to follow Georgia's lead.

Wtf!!!

States adding abortion protection include NY, Vermont and Kansas

As have Nevada and Massachusetts. The cynic in me thinks as some counties in Nevada have legal brothels it kind of has to have adequate contraception and abortion provision but for the moment I'm prepared to overlook that and be grateful it is following the same path as NYC and others.

There are no words to accurately convey the depth and completeness of my hatred for Trump. I'm not sure I've ever felt such total loathing of a public figure before.

Cynics are astute Lass.

A very quick Google search brings up 16 abortion clinics in Las Vegas.

I'm not sure even if the Georgia/Alabama laws go through, how it could be constitutional that an American citizen can be prevented from travelling to another state and using legal services in that state. I'm assuming that as with most services on offer in Las Vegas , it's a case of turn up and get what you want. I'm not intending any slight on Las Vegas doctors and nurses by saying that but cities like NY and Las Vegas may well be the salvation of women.

Well obviously if they have money.

Feminist legal scholars are preparing pro-choice arguments based on the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude.

If the argument is that a fetus is a legal person, a woman cannot be forced into servitude for this other person.

Money and independence. How do you travel if you are 15 and don’t want to tell your parents? If you have to organise child care? This would be where agencies and charities could provide help, but how in a state where this would be illegal?

Janice Turner in today's Times:

The clock is turning back on women’s rights

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-clock-is-turning-back-on-women-s-rights-x9n9mvqrw?shareToken=95ea8deeac993433c6f658b857f78ecd

Feminism isn’t an arc of progress but a game of whack-a-mole.

This is the truth. I wish I'd realised this 10 years ago.

#auntienetwork starting to trend. Women in other states offering help to those who can't access abortion services.

Well I guess one positive is that people might now think carefully about whether it’s fine to team up with right-wing religious nuts. This is literally what happens when you do.

By the same token, surely someone could be legally forced to donate part of their pancreas if found to be a match for someone who needed it? Also blood and bone marrow. Save both lives and all...

How is this the result of feminists having common cause with 'right wing religious nuts' on specific issues? One might as well say that the passing of US laws like the Equality Act with the negative affects on things like Title IX is the fault of 'left wing religious nuts'.

Anti-woman is a cross party problem everywhere. In a world where patriarchy is in the ascendant on many fronts, you fight each battle as it comes.

if your prepared to do the deed then your prepared to have a baby

Obviously you aren't including conception via rape in your judgement of women there?

Which just proves how hypocritical and misogynistic most opposition to abortion is.

Well I guess one positive is that people might now think carefully about whether it’s fine to team up with right-wing religious nuts. This is literally what happens when you do.

Because feminists across America voted for Trump, obviously. Or is it maybe possible that a small overlap of agreement on a single issue between the left and right doesn't advance far right politics? Just a thought.

Here's another thought. Maybe it'll make people now think more carefully about whether it’s fine to use dehumanising language that erases the word "woman"? If you can't see that the people calling us "uterus havers" and the people calling us "host bodies" are working the same agenda then I can't help you.

"#auntienetwork starting to trend. Women in other states offering help to those who can't access abortion services."

I was pleasantly buoyed mid-week when I noticed the underground railway spring into life. It'll be easier than ever in this digital age to extend a helping hand far and wide- although sadly I suspect it will still be extraordinary hard to reach those in dire, dire poverty and without resources.

These men probably didn't envisage their actions mobilising an army of angry women.

*extraordinarily

Teaming up with right wing religous nuts.
Look what you made me do. Take that bitch. Maybe you will shut up next time.

Silly birdsdestiny don't you know that women are responsible for everything men do?

Men attacking trans people? Feminists did it.
Balldemorte getting away with perving on kids? Feminists did it.
Men outlawing abortion? Feminists did it.

Can't wait to hear which male crime or act of blatant misogyny we get blamed for next week.

ReganSomerset

By the same token, surely someone could be legally forced to donate part of their pancreas if found to be a match for someone who needed it? Also blood and bone marrow. Save both lives and all...

That is such a stupid analogy. To be clear I am pro- choice but that argument is comparing apples with something which isn't even anything edible let alone another fruit.

It frequently gets trotted out as some sort of gotcha trump card. It really isn't. It completely ignores the unique situation of pregnancy.

@LassOfFyvie

How so?

Pregnancy is unique- only that one women can give that foetus life. The foetus is wholly dependent on its mother from its first moment of existence. It is impossible to separate them without killing the foetus.

I might be a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant for you but my refusal to donate isn't what will kill you- it's the cancer or whatever.

@LassOfFyvie

Fair point. My observation was based on the idea of defeating the legislation using anti-slavery legislation mentioned upthread- the notion that one can be forced to sustain the life of another.

For the record, I'm not pro choice by Mumsnet standards, but I do find the legal position interesting.

Comment piece by Sarah Baxter (who lived in Alabama as a child in the 1960s):

A roar of defiance from the old, ugly Alabama

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-roar-of-defiance-from-the-old-ugly-alabama-9wqhfr8d9?shareToken=9dcf582cca028e3625f7cb611f2d0c97