Texas abortion ban at heartbeat = 8 weeks pregnant.

[deepwatersolo]

Sorry if I double post (didn’t see the topic when browsing) but wanted to raise awareness about a new law that bans pregnancies as early as 8 weeks in Texas. Contrary to similar laws that were stricken down, this law relies on CITIZEN ‚whistleblowers‘ (snitches/bounty hunters) to report a suspected later abortion. For now the Supreme Court lets it stand 5:4 (until someone brings a challenge). From what I gather: As the accused, you need to prove innocence, in that case you are not owed compensation (for legal fees and stuff), if found guilty, you pay (and potentially via several routes, apparently).
It is all very dark and totalitarian. ‚Small government‘ Republicans, my ass. And so far nothing but lip service from the Dems.

Oh well, turns out I DID double post cause I somehow missed the ‚other‘ feminist section or something. Comsidering that this discrimination is clearly sex-linked, I am not sure why the topic wouldn‘t belong here?

Awful situation.

What are the main groups who are fighting back against this? This cannot be allowed to stand surely? I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be a girl or woman in Texas. The influence of religious belief on laws smacks of what’s happening in Afghanistan. What’s happening on the campuses? Hopefully there will be enormous protests. They’re effectively banning abortion.

I've just seen this dance by the Body Talk Dance Company in Austin, Texas. Girls12-16 year of age in an ideal 1st world country shouldn't be performing a dance highlighting the erosion of women's rights.

Thanks ACambwoman - a very bold performance - hope similar stuff is being replicated all over the State.

Having people rewarded for snitching on women who might have had an abortion is such a dystopian addition to an already awful law.

I hope there will be widespread protests and civil disobedience against this.

I assume that Texas will be meeting all the medical expenses for these women they are forcing to give birth, as well as providing for the child once born.

Oh hey, what's that pink thing I can see oinking away in the sky...

Thank you for the link to the very moving and powerful dance piece ACambsWoman.

It is truly terrifying. I read Sarah Ditum’s piece about this in the Times yesterday, I buy the physical paper on a Saturday so apologies I have no share token but it is well worth a read if anyone can do a share. It really highlights for me how a whole industry of bounty hunters may now spring up as a result of this law and how women of childbearing age may now be treated differently, and disadvantaged in so many aspects of life which we might think are entirely unrelated.

I actually find it quite difficult to comprehend that this has happened. It is as if my brain can't register that this would be possible and I think it is because of the "bounty hunter" approach. It is frightening close to cultural revolution territory.

@DaisiesandButtercups

Thank you for the link to the very moving and powerful dance piece ACambsWoman.

It is truly terrifying. I read Sarah Ditum’s piece about this in the Times yesterday, I buy the physical paper on a Saturday so apologies I have no share token but it is well worth a read if anyone can do a share. It really highlights for me how a whole industry of bounty hunters may now spring up as a result of this law and how women of childbearing age may now be treated differently, and disadvantaged in so many aspects of life which we might think are entirely unrelated.

There's a share token to Sarah Ditum's Times piece in the other thread (no idea if the token is still live):

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feminism/a4337109-worrying-texas-state-abortion-laws?msgid=110512587#110512587

Heartbeat bills have been pro-life strategy for a long time. It's incredibly useful from an emotional manipulation perspective. I'm still reeling, but still completely unsurprised by reading the pro-life men ranting gleefully about how scared Texan women are now, and all the dehumanising language floating about calling women 'hosts'.

Thanks for the share token EmbarrassingAdmissions

FloralBunting, calling women hosts! It is abhorrent.

Fuck this law and fuck the men who thought it up and are supporting it with dehumanising language.

It appears that some people are flooding the snitchline with fake calls:

www.vice.com/en/article/z3x9ba/tiktok-texas-abortion-law-bot-site-ios-shortcut

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/technology/texas-abortion-law-website-tiktok.html

The law is indeed a terrible attack on women’s rights. However the US criminal justice system is “innocent until proven guilty” not “As the accused, you need to prove innocence,” The burden of proof will be on the prosecutor/accuser, not the defendant

I believe it's six rather than eight weeks?
Anyway, here's some useful thoughts by Heather Cox Richardson: heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-2-2021

" By 1:00 this afternoon, the Fox News Channel had mentioned the decision only in a 20-second news brief in the 5 am hour. In political terms, it seems the dog has caught the car. [...]
The fact that the Fox News Channel is not mentioning what should have been a landmark triumph of its viewers’ ideology suggests Republicans know that ending safe and legal abortion is deeply unpopular. Their base finally, after all these years, got what it wanted. But now the rest of the nation, which had been assured as recently as the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh that Roe v. Wade was settled law that would not be overturned, gets a chance to weigh in."

@IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves

I assume that Texas will be meeting all the medical expenses for these women they are forcing to give birth, as well as providing for the child once born.

Oh hey, what's that pink thing I can see oinking away in the sky...

If they’re going to impose such a draconian law on women they should make the same effort to getting financial support from the men who father the babies. Interesting how it’s largely men who push through this legislation.