US: Florida's 6-week abortion ban goes into effect, draws criticism from doctors
US abortion ban protests
Floridaimplementedone of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the United States on Wednesday (May 1). Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in the state to confront Donald Trump on the pivotal issue for the 2024 presidential election.
Republican-led Florida has come upas an important battleground on the contentious issue of abortion. The ban, prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, has put the state into the spotlight as President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party seekto leverage it for electoral gain come November.
Since the conservative-leaning US Supreme Court, influenced by three Trump-appointed justices, revoked the nationwide abortion right in 2022, several states including Florida introduced restrictive measures.
Harris championed reproductive rights
Vice President Harris took centrestage in the campaign for reproductive rights, going on a nationwide tour to advocate against state abortion bans.
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With abortion rights becoming a focal point of the election, Democrats viewed it as a potential vote winner, particularly in their efforts to thwart a potential return to the White House by Republican candidate Trump.
The impending ban in Florida triggered a flurry of activity among women and clinics across the southern US. The state, previously accommodating for abortions with a relatively high time limit, faced a drastic change in its reproductive healthcare landscape.
Also watch |Arizona abortion ban: Arizona lawmakers vote 32-28 to remove blanket ban on abortion
Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican and former presidential contender, spearheaded the six-week abortion ban, solidifying his stance on the issue.
Despite legal challenges, the ban was set to take effect following the dismissal of pro-abortion groups' legal challenges.
Florida voters would have an opportunity to weigh in on the matter through a referendum coinciding with the presidential election in November.
The abortion debate amplified the culture wars within the polarised US electorate.
(With inputs from agencies)