The US (United States) Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Depending on the outcome of this case, the Supreme Court can ultimately overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling. During the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, the court said states could not ban abortions before fetal viability, the point at which the fetus can survive outside the womb. That was around 28 weeks at that time and now it is around 23 weeks because of improvements in medical technology. The case from almost five decades ago protects the right to abortion. The case also established a framework to govern abortion regulation based on the trimesters of pregnancy.
However, On Wednesday, the US Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared prepared to uphold a Mississippi law that would allow states to ban nearly all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. There are currently six conservatives and three liberal justices on the court. One of those conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts, seemed to be trying to find a compromise position to uphold the Mississippi law. During oral arguments, he suggested that the line could be moved back to 15 weeks, which would leave the Mississippi law intact without completely doing away with the Roe v Wade ruling. However, the other conservatives did not appear to find this compelling. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the liberals, argued and raised questions. She questioned, “Wasn’t this a religious argument? When did the women's concerns come into play?” In the wake of the oral arguments, social activists and many people on social media shared information about abortion pills.
Mississippi abortion law
In 2018, a state law was passed in Mississippi in the US. The law banned nearly all abortions after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. This law was even applicable for those who got pregnant because of rape. However, the law is yet to be enforced as it was blocked in lower federal courts.
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