Governor Hobbs Calls Today’s Supreme Court Ruling Outlawing Reproductive Freedom “Callous, Outrageous, and a Dark Day in Arizona”

Today’s repulsive reactionary and Handmaid’s Tale ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court making a Civil War era abortion statute the law of the land except in case of the mother’s life being in danger is a dark day for women’s rights, health care, and reproductive freedom.

In a series of press events and social media posts across the state, reactions from across the Arizona Democratic Political spectrum were swift and harsh.

Flanked by several of Arizona’s leading female legislators, a stern-faced and saddened Governor Katie Hobbs condemned the ruling, calling it “A Dark Day in Arizona.”

Calling the Civil War era Abortion ban sanctioned by Arizona’s high court “one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country… a law that still strips Arizonans of their personal autonomy and has no exceptions for women who are victims of rape or incest or any regard for pregnancy complications…The near-total Civil War-era ban continues to hang over our heads. It only serves to create more chaos for women and doctors in our state.”

The Governor then outlined the steps she has taken to safeguard reproductive freedom including expanding access to over-the-counter contraceptives, her vetoing legislation that threatened “access to Invitro Fertilization and abortions,” and her executive order prohibiting county attorneys from prosecuting women who undergo abortion and doctors who perform it.

The Governor reaffirmed any legislation that would compromise reproductive freedom or women’s health care would “meet her veto stamp.”

She also called on the Arizona State Legislature, especially obstructionist Republicans, to take action and repeal this Civil War-era Abortion ban “and protect access to reproductive health care.”

She chastised Legislative Republican leaders like Senator Borrelli who suggested women should put aspirin between their knees for contraception.

She closed by calling on the citizens of Arizona to act, remarking:

“Arizona women should never have to fear the next court decision...We are 14 days away from this extreme ban coming back to life. It must be repealed immediately. While I am glad IVF and contraception are still available to Arizonans, we know they are under attack…We must act proactively to protect these essential rights. Finally, Arizonans may have an opportunity to make their voices heard on this important issue. To the people across Arizona who are concerned about the future of abortion rights in our state; who are worried about their bodily autonomy; and who don’t want to see the freedom of their wives, sisters, and daughters restricted, you can make your concerns known at the ballot box and I encourage you to do so.”

Later, the Governor delivered a close to two-minute address from her office, stating:

“Like millions of women across Arizona, I am reeling from the Supreme Court’s callous decision to uphold the 1864 total abortion ban. This archaic law, which was written by men 48 years before Arizona even became a state, threatens the lives of countless women and strips us of control over our bodies…The fight for our reproductive freedom is far from over…I will continue working with lawmakers to pass common-sense legislation to make sure Arizonans can continue to receive the reproductive health care they need…I know it’s outrageous to have the government tell you that the best decision for your health or future could now be considered a crime. My message to Arizona women is this: I will not stop fighting until we have fully secured the right to reproductive health care in our state. I refuse to let radical extremists take control over women’s bodies or tell my 22-year-old daughter that she has less rights than I did when I was her age.”