Kean’s Students View on Texas’ Ban on Abortion

By Harmony Sanchez | Published by September 23, 2021

On Wednesday, September 1st 2021, marked the first day of a new semester at Kean University. On this same day, roughly 1,800 miles away from New Jersey, the Texas Abortion Ban also went into law.

Introduced earlier in March of 2021 as the Texas Heartbeat Act, the bill was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in May of 2021, according to news outlet CNN. The law restricts abortion providers in the state of Texas from carrying out their services after six weeks of pregnancy, with the only exception being a medical emergency.

Furthermore, the new law will not be enforced by the Texas Government. Instead, citizens of the state can sue accused abortion providers to enforce the law. If their case is deemed successful, the plaintiff will receive $10,000 from the accused.

“Rape is a crime and Texas will work tirelessly that we will eliminate all rapist from the streets of Texas by aggressively going out and arresting them and protecting them and getting them off the streets” Texas Governor Greg Abbot emphasized in response.

Many against the bill argue that women who have been sexually assaulted or raped may suffer from the new law. 

“The Texas abortion ban is opening the door to a series of unsafe abortions.” Communications Major, Junior Delia Latini, said. “Eventually, people willing to help safely conduct abortions may be reluctant as they could be sued.”

Since the bills passing, Women’s Rights Activists and protesters from around the world have been drawn into action.

“If men have a choice on what they can do with their bodies, why can’t women have a choice?” Kean’s Senior Shelsea Araujo, said. “Women fought for rights a long time ago just to move backwards in 2021.”

Some activists feel the bill’s passing is taking a step backwards from pivotal moments in Women’s Rights History, like Roe V. Wade

“Overall, the law is putting people who are seeking out an abortion at risk and something needs to change to keep people safe” Latini continues.

However, the Texas Government seems to have other plans. Lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill that would restrict medical abortions, currently legal in Texas up to ten weeks of pregnancy.

Either way, the outcome in Texas remains to be seen.

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