ACLU vs Alabama Abortion Law

[happy atheist]

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit against Alabama this week in an attempt to overturn what the group suggests may be the most radical parental consent law in the country. Under a new law that went into effect this summer, minors who are seeking to bypass their parents’ consent to get an abortion are essentially put on trial. The state is allowed to appoint a lawyer for their fetus and call witnesses to testify about the teenager’s character.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/10 ... l-consent/

“This law aims to shame a young woman into not having an abortion,” Susan Watson, the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, told AL.com. “Why should she be put on trial and treated like a criminal for a constitutionally protected procedure?”

Now, the state is allowed to call teachers, parents, neighbors, boyfriends, or peers to testify against the teenage girl, even if that means disclosing her pregnancy to people in her life who didn’t previously know about it. Alabama may also hire someone to represent the fetus’ “best interests” in court. So the new law ultimately ensures that a minor who needs an abortion and isn’t comfortable telling her parents will be up against the whole legal system. She’ll be forced to defend herself against a district attorney who’s arguing she’s unfit to make this decision on her own.

Clearly a teenager who can't talk to her parents about an abortion is the BEST candidate for motherhood. There's no way that outcome would suck for all parties involved.

[Walking Cat Bed]

And state appointed lawyers for fetuses is a GREAT use of taxpayer money.

[RosyDaisy]

Ah, the ass backwards state of Talibama. Shaming women since 1819.

[uber frau]

Testify to her character? As in, she's a slut who doesn't deserve an abortion? Or she's a good pastor's daughter who does? WTF?

[happy atheist]

The other awesome part is that the state can appeal if they lose, thereby basically guaranteeing that the pregnancy goes beyond the 20 week limit Alabama has in place. :angry-banghead:

[mirele]

Time for the Underground Femaleroad.

[ThisOlGirl]

So if they manage to prevent the girl from having the abortion, what's to stop the parents or the state from trying to take the baby from the girl? I could totally see them saying something to the effect of "She's an unfit parent because she wanted to abort the baby. She should have her parental rights terminated and the baby should be adopted (by a good Christian family, of course)".

That'll teach that dirty whore. /sarcasm

[It'sFunToRun]

Damn. Do clothes hanger manufacturers have a lot of lobbying power in Alabama or something?

[shedemei]

So if they manage to prevent the girl from having the abortion, what's to stop the parents or the state from trying to take the baby from the girl? I could totally see them saying something to the effect of "She's an unfit parent because she wanted to abort the baby. She should have her parental rights terminated and the baby should be adopted (by a good Christian family, of course)".

That'll teach that dirty whore. /sarcasm

No no. She has to keep the child as a punishment for her actions.

[RosyDaisy]

I hate my state, but if I leave, that would be conceding. I'll stay and fight for change.

[happy atheist]

I hate my state, but if I leave, that would be conceding. I'll stay and fight for change.

Good luck!

[It'sFunToRun]

I hate my state, but if I leave, that would be conceding. I'll stay and fight for change.

I respect that! :)

I love it when people take responsibility for making their home habitable, instead of sitting around like princes/princesses and saying "I won't go to XXX because YYY."