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Alabama Governor Signs America's Strictest Ban On Abortion

Alabama Governor Signs America's Strictest Ban On Abortion

Doctors can be sent to jail for up to 99 years if they go through with an abortion now.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Alabama has pushed forward with America's most restrictive ban on abortion.

Governor Kay Ivey signed the legislation today, meaning doctors can be sentenced to 99 years behind bars for aborting a baby and 10 years for attempting the procedure. Women won't be criminally liable if they get the procedure done.

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The measure doesn't even allow women to get an abortion if the pregnancy was started by rape or incest.

Imagine living in a state where you were forced to have a baby with your rapist or brother, dad, uncle or cousin.

Governor Ivey, who is anti-abortion, wrote: "Today, I signed into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act. To the bill's many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians' deeply held belief that every life is precious & that every life is a sacred gift from God."

Unsurprisingly, the bill has been slammed by opponents.

State senator Vivian Davis Figures tried to introduce several amendments to the legislation, all of which failed.

She told legislators: "You don't have to raise that child. You don't have to carry that child. You don't have to provide for that child. You don't have to do anything for that child, but yet you want to make the decision for that woman."

Hillary Clinton wrote on social media: "The abortion bans in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi are appalling attacks on women's lives and fundamental freedoms. Women's rights are human rights. We will not go back."

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Comedian Chelsea Handler said: "Of those 25 men who voted to ban abortion in Alabama, I'd like to know how many of them have ever been pregnant. Or have gotten pregnant as a result of rape. I'd like to know how many of those men know exactly what it is like to be a woman. The answer is zero."

Planned Parenthood Southeast President Staci Fox said: "To the Alabama politicians that voted for this bill, our message is this: you will forever live in infamy for this vote. And Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates will make sure every woman knows who to hold accountable."

Opponents of the ban are hoping to bring the case to the Supreme Court, where it will be challenged against Roe vs Wade, the law that legalised abortion across America.

It will be interesting to see how state and federal legislation does battle in the country's highest courtroom and whether campaigners will be able to win.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, US News, abortion