Opinion | Red states with forced-birth laws bask in the right to fall behind
Washington PostSep 09, 2022
The Facts
On Mon., US District Judge Douglas Rayes temporarily blocked an Ariz. law that grants civil rights to unborn children from the moment of fertilization.
The legislation, dubbed the "personhood" law, passed in 2021 but wasn't legally enforceable prior to last month's SCOTUS decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.
The Spin
Right narrative
This move is little more than a defiant attempt to challenge the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and protect the rights of unborn children. The decision will never hold up.
Left narrative
Rayes decision was the right move. The "personhood" law contradicts other legislation on the books, which only creates confusion. Besides, an overwhelming majority of Ariz. voters want abortion to remain legal, and this ruling is just a small step in that direction.
