PHOENIX — Arizona's attorney general says he will do everything he can to lessen the impact of a Civil War-era abortion ban that the state Supreme Court ruled enforceable this week.
Democratic Attorney General Chris Mays told NBC News in an in-person interview Thursday that he declined to prosecute abortion providers and patients after the court ruled in favor of the 1864 law He said he wants to help doctors get licensed in other states. A near-total abortion ban will be imposed on Tuesday.
“I completely understand the fear doctors, pharmacists and nurses are feeling right now in the face of the knowledge that this 1864 Prohibition could be implemented,” Mays said. . “That's why I'm working with other states on the possibility of sending them to practice medicine in those states in the short term. One of my visions is to potentially That means we can create a safe haven in California for doctors, nurses, and abortion providers.”
An 1864 Arizona law made abortion illegal from the moment of conception, with exceptions to save the woman's life. The bill would make abortion a felony, punishable by two to five years in prison for those who perform or assist in abortion. Tuesday's ruling effectively reverses a lower court's ruling that the recent 15-week ban supersedes the law.
The state Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it would put its decision on hold for 14 days so lower courts can consider “further constitutional challenges.” Reproductive rights advocates have two weeks to appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, another ongoing lawsuit would allow abortion providers to continue providing services from the 15th week of pregnancy until the end of May.
“As long as I am Attorney General, no woman or doctor in this state will be prosecuted under this draconian law,” Mays said in a statement shortly after the ruling.
she said Thursday. This is about freedom and the ability to control your body. Therefore, we will do whatever it takes to achieve that. ”
Abortion providers like Dr. Ronald Younis of Acacia Women's Center in Phoenix appreciate Mays' promise, but doctors like him are not legally allowed to treat patients without fear of arrest. He said it may have little meaning for him. “It's still against the law,” Yunis pointed out. If it is illegal, abortion cannot be performed.
Asked about those concerns Thursday, Mays said his office would use the 45 days to fight the ban to ensure it never goes into effect. She is working with Arizona health care providers to authorize them to temporarily provide care in California until voters can consider a ballot measure to enshrine the right to abortion into the state constitution this fall. He said he was going to get it.
“It's understandable for doctors to say, 'I can't do this, I have to support my family, I don't want to lose my license, I don't want to go to prison for two to five years,'” Mays said. admitted. “My message to them is that I will fight tooth and nail for you as Arizona Attorney General.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom (Democratic) Said The state “stands ready to continue supporting Arizonans' access to reproductive health care.” Spokesman Brandon Richards said in a statement from his office that California has long been preparing for an influx of patients needing reproductive health care. Roe vs. Wade It was turned upside down.
“We are also working closely with the Arizona Governor's Office to ensure Arizonans know that California has their backs and that there are resources available if they seek treatment in the state. ” the statement reads.
Tuesday's decision is the latest setback for abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 2022, which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. Ahead of the decision, about half of the states said they would restrict access to abortion if Roe v. Wade was struck down. Since then, nearly 20 states have banned abortion or severely restricted access, and each state has begun a wave of legal challenges. Reproductive rights groups and advocates in Arizona have been holding protests across the state since the ruling as abortion providers wrestle with how to proceed.