Status: 05/17/2022 02:11 a.m
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New York is preparing for a drastic curtailment of the right to abortions in the United States. In this case, the state wants to become a place of refuge for women from all over the country – just like before.
Von Antje Passenheim, ARD-Studio New York
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My body – my choice. They’re campaigning for abortion rights. Thousands of protesters march across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan’s powerful financial district.
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Antje Passenheim
ARD-Studio New York
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New York needs to get up, says Linda. And it’s sad that history is repeating itself. The 78-year-old fought for abortion rights 50 years ago: “After all these years, women are in danger here. It breaks my heart. What kind of society are we? Do they give a damn about women?” And Sarah, in her early 20s, threatens:
If abortion becomes illegal here, I will consider leaving this country. Without access to abortion, I don’t feel safe living here.
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New York was already a pioneer
But New Yorkers should feel safe no matter what the Supreme Court decides next. Gov. Kathy Hochul promises that women who have to terminate a pregnancy will continue to be welcomed with open arms, no matter where they come from.
Then it would be like over 50 years ago, when New York was one of the first US states to enshrine the right to abortion – long before the groundbreaking “Roe versus Wade” abortion ruling. In 1970, two-thirds of all women who had abortions in New York were from outside. It could be like that again if the Supreme Court overturns the national law.
Fund to provide financial assistance
Governor Hochul and Justice Minister Letitia James are already gearing up for this. A A $35 million fund should help to better equip abortion clinics and absorb the costs of those seeking help, James announces:
Prohibitions do not prevent abortions. Bans only prevent safe abortions. And that’s why we’re providing help for safe abortions here.
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When Doctor Susan hears this, she thinks, the clocks are ticking backwards. The doctor wants to remain anonymous because she occasionally receives threats. The New Yorker has performed many abortions. She is part of a network of doctors providing women across the United States with the abortion pill. Susan gets many calls for help from Texas, where the law is strictest.
Women who tearfully say: I already have two children. We do not have any money. I don’t have a car and I don’t come to Oklahoma or New Mexico. I don’t know what to do. I’m past my sixth week and the Texas clinics are turning me away because of it.
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Demand for abortion pill increased
Others have become pregnant by force – or have health problems. The demand for the abortion pill has increased since the law was shaky. Many women wanted to have them in stock in the closet as a precaution. Susan is still sending out the drug completely legally – but if abortion rights are overturned, doctors like her will have one leg in prison in the future.
If I ship drugs to Texas and someone finds out, they can sue me. It would be a crime. Texas could call the state police in New York to have me arrested and extradited to Texas.
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Doctors like Susan warn: New York lawmakers must clarify such legal gray areas in order to protect them.
Access to abortion dependent on zip code
Susan still can’t believe it. Ever since she went to college, conservatives have scraped abortion rights.
I remember thinking, No, they can’t overturn the law. They built in more and more restrictions. And your access to an abortion in the US suddenly depended on your zip code.
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She talks a lot about it with her 20-year-old daughter. She couldn’t believe that abortion might soon be a crime in her country. The pressure, Susan hopes, will drive many young women into politics – or at least into the polls at the next election.
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