Two abortion clinics are suing the Alabama attorney general after he recently made statements threatening to sue people who help women get abortions out of state.
2 clinics they say they’re scared Attorney General Steve Marshall’s comments led to the offer of counseling services to women.
Life Protection Act, signed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, enacted a law banning nearly all abortions at any stage of pregnancy. Some exceptions include abortions performed when the mother’s life is threatened or the baby may be born with a fatal abnormality. (Related: Major pro-life organization, camp accuses DeSantis of ‘not showing off to DC interest groups’)
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall addressed the issue of abortion advocates who help women get abortions out of state. during a radio appearance The show will take place in August 2022.
“Not wrong at all [the ban] is criminal law and the general principles applicable to criminal law apply to it. This is a typical felony and the most serious offense insofar as it is punishable under the Penal Code, except in cases of death. ”
Two Alabama clinic operators and the ACLU on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the prosecution of those who provide information or assist women seeking to travel out of state to get an abortion. woke up @aldotcom.https://t.co/Rio7HjWuM0
— Intellectual (@highbrow_nobrow) July 31, 2023
“Thus, the collateral liability provision, the collusion provision, would have applicability in relation to this particular legislation passed by Congress,” Marshall said. “So, for example, if someone was advertising out of state as an abortion funder, that could potentially lead to criminal prosecution. One of the things we will do is make sure this law is fully enforced.As you know, this law has restrictions on individuals driving across state lines or seeking abortions elsewhere. There is nothing to do, but if an individual does come forward as an entity or group that is using the funds raised to facilitate that visit, it is something that we will consider carefully. I want to say.”
Plaintiffs argue that if prosecution is possible on this ground, “there is nothing to prevent the selective prosecution of individuals for speech and conduct in connection with any other lawful out-of-state activity.” are doing.
Plaintiffs asked the court to declare that if Marshall acted on the threat, he would have violated the due process clause and the First Amendment.
The West Alabama Women’s Center, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said: To tell They’re struggling to keep the doors open after the pro-life bill is passed. The number of patients they see has reportedly dropped from 200 to about 80 a month. The clinic was also sued for alleged malpractice after an abortion was reportedly performed at the clinic. almost killed woman.
In a statement provided to the Daily Caller, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office said, “Attorney General Marshall will continue to vigorously enforce Alabama’s fetal protection laws, including the Life Protection Act. ‘ said. This includes abortion providers who collude in violating the law. ”
