Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall did not mince words in warning those who consider defying state law in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In a statement released shortly after the 6-3 ruling was announced, Marshall outlined that abortion law would now be decided by state legislatures and issued a notice to abortion providers that operated in breach of Alabama law.
“Today is a truly historic day. The United States Supreme Court has, at long last, finally overturned its fatally flawed decision in Roe v. Wade,” read Marshall’s statement. “The issue of abortion now returns to the States—and the State of Alabama has unequivocally elected to be a protector of unborn life.”
He added, “Accordingly, I wish to immediately issue the following notices: Because neither the United States Constitution nor the Alabama Constitution provides a right to abortion, Alabama laws that prohibit abortion and that have not been enjoined by a court are in full effect. For those laws that have been halted by courts, the State will immediately file motions to dissolve those injunctions. Any abortionist or abortion clinic operating in the State of Alabama in violation of Alabama law should immediately cease and desist operations.”
Marshall informed the citizenry that any individual that chose to harm pro-life entities would face prosecution from his office, which he noted would seek retribution “to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Furthermore, any act of vandalism or violence against any crisis pregnancy center, church, or other pro-life entity in retaliation for today’s decision will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office to the fullest extent of the law,” warned Alabama’s chief law enforcement officer. “I will have more to say on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the importance of this decision in due course.”
Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that the state would seek to reverse a federal judge’s order blocking the “Alabama Human Life Protection Act” from going into effect.
Should the state succeed in its legal efforts, which is likely given the high court’s ruling, abortion would be banned within Alabama’s borders except in cases of the mother’s life being in jeopardy.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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