Eastside Students React To Alabama’s New Abortion Law

In the last few weeks, multiple states have passed laws challenging the legality of abortion. Alabama, for example, will outlaw all abortions beginning on May 15. There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, although there is a provision allowing for an abortion if the mother’s life is at risk. Doctors who ignore the law could face up to 99 years in prison. Other states, like Indiana, are passing similar laws.

Abortion, or the practice of medically terminating a pregnancy, has been legal in the United States since the Roe V. Wade decision in 1973. This Supreme Court decision legalized abortion with some restrictions. This decision has been challenged non-stop in the decades since it was made.

How do Eastside students feel about those states who are passing restrictive new abortion laws? We decided to ask.

44% of Eastside students support a woman’s right to an abortion in all cases, and an additional 34% of Eastside students believe that abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s health is at risk.

Only 22% of Eastside students oppose abortion completely and support Alabama’s position on the issue.

“Abortion should not be allowed because you are killing a baby,” says one Eastside student who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s not the baby’s fault, and they shouldn’t have to die without being given a chance.”

Emeley Mata disagrees. “Under no circumstance should abortion become illegal,” says the Eastside senior. “There are women in this world who may not be ready to have a baby physically or mentally.” She believes that women should have the right to make that choice for themselves.

Eastside senior Ethan Shearer agrees, but only to an extent. “Abortions should be legal under some circumstances,” he says. “If a women is raped or is in an abusive relationship, she should be able to get the option to abortion.”

“If it’s a woman’s body, it should be a women’s choice,” he adds.