New Mexico court strikes down abortion restrictions in state’s conservative cities News
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New Mexico court strikes down abortion restrictions in state’s conservative cities

The Supreme Court of New Mexico unanimously struck down restrictive abortion access policies in a few local counties on Thursday. Despite the state criminalizing abortion for over fifty seven years, New Mexico has now become one of the most liberal states in regard to abortion rights.

Writing for the unanimous judgment, Justice C. Shannon Bacon stated in her concluding sentences that the controversial ordinances violate state laws and interfere with the legislature’s ability to regulate access to reproductive health.

The Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, praised the Justices for their ruling and celebrated that New Mexico will remain a safe haven for individual freedom and reproductive rights. She also made clear her willingness to fight those who attack the state’s reproductive healthcare access.

Opposition to abortion is quite strong in New Mexico in the towns near Texas, which has strong restrictions against abortions.  The ordinances in question prohibit the mailing and receipt of abortion-related instrumentality, including abortion pills.

This decision comes as many states eliminate reproductive rights and access to justice. Abortion is slowly becoming criminalized all over the United States, with the Texan attorney general suing a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texan resident. More litigation is proceeding as many rights groups are challenging state laws prohibiting abortions, with Arizonan advocacy groups challenging the state’s abortion ban.

President-elect Donald Trump has maintained a harsh stance on abortion, initially supporting a 15-week ban before stating he would leave it up to the states. The US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade in 2022 with the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

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