Texas 6-Week Abortion Ban Draws Outrage From Hollywood: ‘The Devil Is Afoot in Texas’
A law banning abortions after six weeks took effect in Texas at midnight Tuesday, with no action from the Supreme Court to put the law on hold. That inaction, and the law itself, is drawing fierce criticism from women in Hollywood and politics alike.
The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, bans abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is typically around six weeks. And, at six weeks, most women don’t know they’re pregnant yet. For many, it feels like a huge step toward overturning Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S. almost 50 years ago.
Many are likening the restrictions over women’s bodies to Hulu’s dystopian series “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Lisa Guerrero went so far as to tweet “Hope red’s your color, ladies,” in reference to the modest red robes women are forced to wear in that world.
Hope red’s your color, ladies. pic.twitter.com/9WZoQPINnt
— Lisa Guerrero (@4lisaguerrero) September 1, 2021
Meanwhile, actress Hilarie Burton — wife to Jeffrey Dean Morgan — voiced her concern for women who experience miscarriages, as she did.
“This Texas deal? They’re coming for you if you have a miscarriage,” she tweeted. “All it takes is a neighbor ‘reporting’ you. Think of every woman you know who has miscarried. She will now be considered a suspect.”
I’ve been very vocal about my miscarriages. I wrote this note back in September. This Texas deal? They’re coming for you if you have a miscarriage. All it takes is a neighbor “reporting” you. Think of every woman you know who has miscarried. She will now be considered a suspect. pic.twitter.com/oKnMh0v9hV
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) September 1, 2021
Indeed, this law can be enforced by more than just law enforcement officials and doctors. As it’s written, private citizens can sue abortion providers and anyone involved in facilitating abortions — include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. As it stands, anyone who successfully prosecutes another person would win at least $10,000.
The ban is also drawing sharp criticisms from women in politics, including Congresswoman Cori Bush, Senator Elizabeth Warren and newly installed New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
I’m thinking about the Black, brown, low-income, queer, and young folks in Texas. The folks this abortion health care ban will disproportionately harm,” Bush tweeted. “Wealthy white folks will have the means to access abortion care. Our communities won’t.”
I’m thinking about the Black, brown, low-income, queer, and young folks in Texas. The folks this abortion health care ban will disproportionately harm.
Wealthy white folks will have the means to access abortion care. Our communities won’t.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) September 1, 2021
You can check out more reactions to Texas’ law below.
https://t.co/TE2aAQMKAV
— Samantha Bee (@iamsambee) September 1, 2021
The newest Texas abortion ban, #SB8, gives politicians, neighbors, and even strangers the right to sue those who provide — or just help patients get — abortion after 6 wks. The time to fight for our reproductive health & rights is now! #BansOffOurBodies https://t.co/hTpvmTWoIF
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 1, 2021
The devil is afoot in Texas https://t.co/o16qDUs2JQ
— Sara Schaefer (@saraschaefer1) September 1, 2021
People who don’t understand even basic biology (Texas Republicans) are regulating women’s bodies.
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) September 1, 2021
Texas has banned abortion for millions of people, and the Supreme Court has done nothing to stop it — effectively overturning Roe v. Wade.
This is wrong and it won’t happen here in New York under my watch. We will continue to fight for the reproductive rights and health of all.
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 1, 2021
Basic health care includes safe, legal abortion. The Texas abortion ban is an unconstitutional attack on reproductive rights—an attack happening all across America. Let’s be very clear: We’re going to fight this ban and defend #RoeVWade.https://t.co/DVZazBPlFg
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 1, 2021
Good morning, Texas… #underhiseye pic.twitter.com/iIVbbCELKN
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 1, 2021
Texas is anti-life.
— Karen Nicole Attiah (@KarenAttiah) September 1, 2021
What Texas has devised is a bizarre, dystopian vigilante system for hunting women in Texas who seek abortions. A vigilante system to effectively ban abortion and shut down all abortion providers in the state, not to mention terrorizing women who are seeking the procedure. pic.twitter.com/vfhtPy7AKR
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) September 1, 2021
SCOTUS’s failure to block #SB8 has delivered catastrophe to women in Texas. This radical law is an all out effort to erase the rights and protections of Roe v Wade.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 1, 2021
This Texas anti-abortion law is a nightmare, designed to punish (poor) women for being sexually active, to keep progressives from focusing on other issues like voting rights, and to terrorize half the people of the state. None of these legislators give a damn about children.
— Joan Osborne (@joan_osborne) September 1, 2021
Lawrence Yee contributed to this report.
