Louisiana becomes the 5th state to enact a fetal heartbeat abortion ban after Governor Edwards signs the prohibition into law. The law’s implementation is pending a legal challenge to a similar Mississippi law.
The deep south’s only Democratic Governor says he’s always been upfront about his pro-life views.
“That is consistent with my position on these issues, really for a lifetime, but in eight years in the legislature and four years as governor.”
Edwards touted his record on other issues such as the Medicaid expansion, as other examples of his pro-life views.
Before the governor signed the ban, hundreds of pro-choice demonstrators packed the capitol steps and voiced their opposition to the ban.
Planned Parenthood organizers led the pink clad protesters in chants against the soon-to-be signed law, punctuated by unified shouts of “Stand up, fight back!” and “Stop the bans!”
When interviewed, many in the crowd indicated Edwards’ signature would result in repercussions in the fall governor’s race, but the Governor says the fetal heartbeat bill is the will of Louisianians made law.
“With what I believe to be a very pro-life ethic in Louisiana, the Legislature is going to give voice to that.”
But speakers at the rally say access to legal and safe abortions are fundamental to women’s liberty. Unitarian Reverend Darcy Roake spoke against the ban, and lawmakers who support it while rejecting legislation to help struggling young women.
“Louisiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, so the idea that you would try to shut down or limit women’s reproductive healthcare in a state like this is not only sad, but I feel that that is sinful too.”
