Attention all Wyoming women! The news you’ve been waiting for has arrived. In a recent ruling, a judge has blocked an abortion restriction that threatened to limit your reproductive rights in the state. This is a major victory for women’s health and wellbeing, and it comes as a sigh of relief at a time when access to safe and legal abortions is under attack across the country. So take a deep breath and let us tell you more about what this means for you – and why we should all be celebrating this decision today.
Wyoming lawmakers pass bill to restrict abortion
Wyoming lawmakers pass bill to restrict abortion
After weeks of protests and a judge’s temporary injunction, Wyoming legislators have passed a bill that would restrict abortion in the state. The new measure, if signed by the governor, would require doctors to provide information about alternatives to abortion and mandate that women be given at least 72 hours notice before an abortion is performed. While the bill has been met with criticism from reproductive rights activists, it is seen as a victory by pro-life advocates in the state.
The legislation comes after days of protests outside the capitol building in Cheyenne. Hundreds of pro-life advocates rallied outside the building, carrying signs that read “Life begins at conception” and “Our children deserve better.” Many of these individuals were part of a caravan of cars that drove from northwest Colorado to support the anti-abortion movement in Wyoming.
Opponents of the bill say that it is unconstitutional and will infringe on women’s constitutional rights. They also argue that there are other options available to women who find themselves in need of an abortion, such as adoption or parenting programs.
Abortion rights activists sue
In a victory for abortion rights activists, a Wyoming judge has temporarily blocked an abortion restriction from taking effect. The new regulation, which would have made it illegal to perform abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, was set to take effect on September 1st. Abortion rights activists filed a lawsuit challenging the rule, and on Friday, a district court judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking its implementation.
“This is a huge win for women in Wyoming,” said Brooke Shackelford, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “The rule was unconstitutional and would have put thousands of women at risk.”
The 20-week ban is one of several abortion restrictions being pushed by state lawmakers around the country. Earlier this year, Oklahoma passed a law that makes it illegal to use aborted fetal tissue for research purposes. And last month, Texas passed legislation that allows hospitals to refuse to provide abortions if they believe doing so would violate their religious beliefs…
Judge blocks abortion restriction
After weeks of protests, a judge has blocked a Wyoming abortion restriction from going into effect. The law, which would have made it illegal to perform abortions after 12 weeks of gestation, was set to go into effect on Friday, but a judge issued a restraining order preventing its implementation.
The law sparked widespread protests from women’s rights groups and doctors who said it would put women’s health at risk. Planned Parenthood announced that it was suspending operations in the state due to the new restriction.
“This is a huge victory for women in Wyoming,” said Dana Cody, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. “We are grateful to the court for stepping in and protecting our patients’ access to safe and legal abortions.”
The ACLU of Wyoming argued that the law would violate women’s fundamental constitutional rights. “This measure is an attempt by politicians in Wyoming to limit access to abortion services without any real evidence that it will improve maternal health or safety,” said ACLU Attorney Lisa Hill. “Wyomingites should be outraged by these unconstitutional attempts to trample on women’s right to choose.”
Women in Wyoming can breathe a sigh of relief
According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2017, Wyoming had the third lowest rate of abortion incidence in the United States, at 13 per 1,000 women aged 15-44. In light of this statistic, many women in Wyoming were alarmed when a proposed bill was introduced that would have restricted access to abortion services in the state. The bill was eventually blocked by a judge on procedural grounds.
While this decision is not a panacea for all the problems faced by women in Wyoming when it comes to accessing abortion services, it is a significant step forward. It shows that legislators are willing to listen to their constituents and understand that there is a diverse range of opinions on this issue. This open dialogue is crucial if we want to ensure that all women have access to safe and legal abortions.
