Floridians seeking abortions after 15 weeks could soon face long journeys
June 24, 2022 at 4 p.m.
The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates is warning that Floridians will soon face long journeys when a new state law takes effect. The law bans most abortions after 15 weeks, and has no exceptions for rape or incest.
"This means that if you're a Floridian after July 1st, when our 15-week abortion ban goes into effect, you're going to have to travel as far as Virginia to get that care. But we will not stop. We're continuing to provide care for our patients today, just like we did yesterday, and we will do tomorrow," said Annie Filkowski, policy director for the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.
"This opinion does not change that we are providing abortion care throughout the state today. We are proudly providing abortion care throughout the state today," she said. "What changes will be happening is that starting July 1st, you will not be able to get an abortion after 15 weeks."
— Sherrilyn Cabrera
Local abortion rights advocates say they're worried about what comes next
June 24, 2022 at 3:45 p.m.
Abortion rights advocates in Miami say they’re losing a fundamental freedom. At a press conference in Miami Friday, activists said they’re scared state lawmakers could further restrict abortion — or ban it entirely.
"I can’t help but think of my grandmother today, who told us that immigrating from Cuba meant that we were free. And the Supreme Court has stripped away another part of that freedom," said Jessica Merino, an organizer with Planned Parenthood.
On July 1, a new state law will go into effect banning most abortions after 15 weeks, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Laurie Scop said she’s a survivor of incest. She urged lawmakers to think of her and other victims.
"Left powerless without the right to have a legal abortion, their body and mind indefinitely being controlled by a nonconsensual act of horror. I know this horror well," she said.
The activists said it’s critical that voters elect candidates who support abortion rights during this year’s elections.
— Kate Payne
Group challenging new Florida law says fight will continue
June 24, 2022 at 1:50 p.m.
The leader of a South Florida synagogue that is challenging the state's new law banning most abortions after 15 weeks said Friday his group would keep fighting, despite the Supreme Court decision.
That ruling leaves decisions about abortion access up to states.
"The overturning now of Roe v. Wade and the governor's outrageous law have worked to seriously undermine women's rights," said Barry Silver, rabbi of the Jewish Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor.
Earlier this month, the synagogue filed a lawsuit against the Florida law. It's scheduled to take effect on July 1. The synagogue’s lawsuit alleges that the law violates Floridians' constitutional rights to privacy and religious freedom.
"We're going to fight back and fight back hard, but not like these other people do with insurrections and threats," Silver said. "We're going to use legal means in the court and in the court of public opinion."
Silver says his congregation will join forces with several like-minded groups to mobilize. Clinics that provide abortion services in Florida have also filed lawsuits that challenge the state's new law on abortion.
— Alyssa Ramos
Miami-Dade mayor calls Supreme Court's decision a 'devastating assault'
June 24, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava released a statement Friday condemning the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
"This decision to overturn Roe v Wade is more than a reversal of 50 years of reproductive rights. It's a devastating assault on the personal, economic, and medical freedom of women in America and will endanger the health of too many, particularly the most vulnerable among us. This is a cruel step backwards for our nation and its impact will be felt for generations to come," she said.
Miami-Dade is Florida's most populous county.
"To women and girls everywhere: Please know this is not the end – we will continue the long fight for the human rights we deserve with more urgency now than ever before. We did it once, we’ll do it again.”
—Nancy Klingener
Gov. DeSantis: Answered prayers
June 24, 2022 at 1:25 p.m.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on Twitter Friday, praising the Supreme Court's decision and stating that Florida "will work to expand pro-life protections."
By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Supreme Court has answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans. pic.twitter.com/CsPFpNnUPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 24, 2022
— Nancy Klingener
Ahead of Florida's new law, South Florida abortion fund prepares to help clients leave the state to get the procedure
June 24, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.
Emergency Medical Assistance Inc. is bracing for the law, which goes into effect next Friday, July 1. The group is based in Palm Beach County.
The law bans most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks. There is no exception for cases of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Board chair Fran Sachs says the organization plans to help patients travel to New York to get care if they miss that cutoff.
"We’re doing everything we can to raise additional money, to try to attract more volunteers. We’re working on figuring out this practical support of how we are going to get these people out of state," she said.
Sachs said the group typically spends $125 per client to help people get abortions locally. For patients who have to leave the state for an abortion, she expects the cost to be more than ten times as much.
— Kate Payne
Florida lawmakers respond to the ruling
June 24, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.
South Florida legislators reacted Friday to the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion in the United States.
READ MORE: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, ending right to abortion upheld for decades
State Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Hollywood, said in a statement history has shown that legislation does not stop abortion.
"All this will do is make it harder to get a safe, legal abortion, and lead to what we saw in decades past: women sick and dying because of unsafe, underground abortions," he said. "The majority of Americans, and Floridians, want there to be access to abortion services. A loud minority has pushed its extremist agenda all the way to the Supreme Court, and millions will suffer because of it."
"Choosing when and if to have a baby is one of the most important and personal decisions anyone can ever make. Access to family planning options like birth control and abortions are critically important and should be protected for all," Jenne added.
Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, released a statement praising the Supreme Court decision.
“It’s hard to believe we live in a country that has permitted the murder of 63 million innocent children over the last 50 years. Every abortion kills a human being made in the image and likeness of God who deserves the chance to grow up in a loving family," he said.
“Florida is a state that values life. I have been proud to support pro-life, pro-family policies that not only protect innocent, unborn babies, but also support children, parents, and other caring adults willing to raise a child who is not their own," he said.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay's reaction was more succinct:
Land of the free, unless you’re a woman.
— Melissa McKinlay (@VoteMcKinlay) June 24, 2022
Florida does not have a "trigger law" that bans abortion once Roe v. Wade is overturned, as some states do. The Legislature this year passed a law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. That law is set to take effect July 1, but it is being challenged.
— Nancy Klingener
