Georgia’s six-week abortion ban was struck down by a judge in Fulton County, now allowing the procedure up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. The state’s law, known as the LIFE Act, faced legal challenges and was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019 but took effect in July 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Judge Robert McBurney emphasized the importance of a woman’s right to control her body and healthcare choices and stated that the law’s extreme restriction on abortion timeframes was a violation of rights. An appeal is expected by the Georgia Attorney General
The case, brought by SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, led to the final ruling that the law was against the state constitution. The judge criticized the invasion of privacy in the law, especially regarding district attorneys accessing women’s health records.
The ruling received mixed reactions, with advocates applauding the protection of bodily autonomy, while critics highlighted the impact on vulnerable women. The stories of Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, who died due to complications caused by the abortion ban, brought attention to the consequences of such restrictions.