Getty Images
Kentucky’s Last Abortion Clinic Might Not Last Long
As soon as Republicans took control over the state of Kentucky, they quickly began to pass new restrictions on abortions. Governor Matt Bevin is proudly waging a licensing fight against a Louisville clinic that is the last remaining facility performing abortions in the entire state. Another group against abortions, a Christian fundamentalist group called Operation Save America, plans to mobilize hundreds of activists to protest against EMW Women’s Surgical Center.
This particular clinic has been open since the early 1980’s, and co-founder of the clinic Dr. Ernest Marshall said, “We have never been under siege like this…we have never had any question as to whether we would exist.” Like many abortion clinics, protestors have been planted outside this one in Kentucky for years–signs outside the facility include statements like,”Abortion an American Holocaust,” and protesters were seen telling one man entering the clinic, “Men don’t kill their babies. Man up.”
Bills passed in since Governor Bevin has taken office include a measure banning abortions in Kentucky after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother’s life is in danger. Another requires the abortion doctor or a “qualified technician” to perform an ultrasound and then try to show fetal images to the pregnant woman before she consents to an abortion.
Of course, The Supreme Court has found that access to an abortion must be guaranteed, but it is unknown if not having a single abortion clinic in a state will fall below those guidelines.
