Texas is at it again. Just when you thought the state couldn’t become any more repressive when it comes to abortion rights, they’ve just taken it up another notch.
Let’s break it down: After the Supreme Court basically said “bye-bye” to federal abortion protections last summer, some district attorneys in Texas were like, “You know what? We’re not prosecuting anyone for abortion-related offenses.” A beacon of sanity, right? Well, hold onto your seats because Texas has just passed a law that could remove those prosecutors from office if they don’t play ball.
Under this law, Texas is cracking down on what’s called “prosecutorial discretion,” which is basically a prosecutor’s ability to use their judgment on whether or not to pursue cases. So, if a district attorney wants to take a stand and say, “Hey, I’m not prosecuting this because it’s a matter of personal healthcare and freedom,” too bad. They can kiss their job goodbye.
Miriam Krinsky, an actual former federal prosecutor, summed it up beautifully: “This is about trying to erode the rights of individuals to make choices around their own personal healthcare.” She adds that this is also undermining democratic principles, which is downright terrifying.
And just to give you an idea of how bad things are in Texas, they have what’s called a “trigger ban.” Perform an abortion in Texas? You might as well be on your way to a life sentence. Oh, and did I mention that Texas has charged women with murder for getting an abortion? Yikes.
Amanda Zurawski, one of the courageous women suing Texas over its abortion ban, got real: “Because of the law, I very nearly died. Nothing about this is pro-life.” She suffered from sepsis twice due to a non-viable pregnancy, all because she couldn’t access abortion services in the state.
But wait, there’s more! Texas isn’t just content with policing its own residents; they’re also going after women trying to seek abortions out-of-state. Texas Republicans are now targeting highways, making it illegal to transport anyone across city or county lines to get an abortion. What’s next, setting up barricades?
Neesha Davé, executive director of the Lilith Fund, put it perfectly: “The purpose of these laws is not to meaningfully enforce them. It’s the fear that’s the point. It’s the confusion that’s the point.”
So, what can you do? Stay informed, stay angry, and let’s make some noise. Texas is setting a terrifying precedent, and we need to stand united against this outright attack on personal freedoms and women’s rights. Don’t let this be the future; let’s make sure this nightmare ends here.
