ATLANTA — The state’s so-called Heartbeat Abortion Bill is now law, after court rulings Wednesday allowed it to take effect.
The law bans most abortions after a heartbeat is detected around six weeks of pregnancy.
Democratic nominee for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams was among the first to weigh in.
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“There might be some who say I’m angry, some who say I’m impassioned. I am enraged,” said Abrams.
Just hours after court rulings allowed Georgia’s Heartbeat law to take effect, Abrams said she’ll work to repeal the law if elected.
“We also know that when the women of Georgia speak up, we can reverse that law. That law is going to put people in danger,” said Abrams.
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On Wednesday, a federal appeals court said the law could take effect immediately, after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled earlier in the day that the law is constitutional.
“We are overjoyed that the court has paved the way for the implementation of Georgia’s life act,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican.
Kemp emerged from his office at the state capitol to applaud the court’s decision.
The law will ban most abortions in Georgia after six weeks of pregnancy, leaving exceptions for rape and incest, and when the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life.
“As mothers navigate pregnancy, birth, parenthood or alternative options to parenthood, like adoption, Georgia’s public, private and nonprofit sectors stand ready to provide the resources they need to be safe, healthy and informed,” said Kemp.
Roswell’s mother Kayla Joseph told us she agrees with the governor.
“That is truly an answered prayer,” Joseph said of the ruling. “An answered prayer!”
She says finding faith prevented her from getting an abortion several years ago.
“I was actually going to get an abortion with my daughter who is now 3 years old. Thank the Lord he led me to save her,” said Joseph. “Because I believe God has placed every person on this earth for a reason, no matter how we got here.”
But others we spoke with say banning abortion at six weeks, before most women even know they’re pregnant, puts them, and their futures at risk.
“I just feel like you should not be able to govern a woman’s body. It just don’t make sense. Like that’s their bodies,” said student Brent Jordan.
“It’s very dehumanizing and it’s completely taking away someone’s autonomy,” said student Trinity Shaw. “It’s not cool.”
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