With the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the Texas trigger law takes effect shortly. The Texas trigger law was passed by the legislature last session. It is the law that will affect Texas in 30 days.
With the ruling, there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Now, the Texas trigger law (Formerly Senate Bill 8) that was passed by the legislature in the last session will affect Texas in 30 days.
Planned Parenthood is organizing rallies across Texas to protest Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas says it is now reviewing its legal options.
"Shame on every person who has ignored the multitude of research and data that has told us the harm that will occur if abortion is inaccessible," says Jeffrey Hons, Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood South Texas.
Hons says Texas law banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected has already cut access to people who cannot afford to travel to other states.
"The harsh reality is, due to Senate Bill 8, most people are ineligible for abortion in this state, legal abortion," he says. "People have been forced to continue a pregnancy, find an abortion outside the legal system."
"The U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children," Governor Greg Abbott wrote in a statement. "Texas is a pro-life state, and we have taken significant action to protect the sanctity of life."
Abbott credits the legislature with passing $345 million in women's health programs and says the state has invested $100 million in its " Alternatives to Abortion" program.
Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke is planning an event in Austin Sunday called, "A Rally for Reproductive Freedom."
"This decision allows Governor Greg Abbott’s extreme trigger law that bans abortion at any point without exception for rape or incest to quickly take effect in Texas. O’Rourke has pledged to be a governor who ensures that women have the freedom to make their own decisions about their own body, health care, and future," O'Rourke's campaign said in an email.
Friday, crews were placing wood over window at the Cabell Federal Building in Downtown Dallas and setting up fencing outside.
"They have to do that because you never know," one man who was renewing his passport said. "It reminds me what happened here a few years ago [after George Floyd riots]. You never know, so it makes me a little bit nervous."
One woman said she was glad to see law enforcement preparing, but she says she hopes demonstrations will stay peaceful. She says she is glad Dallas is allowing both sides to express themselves.
"Dallas allows people to express their opinions in both ways," she said.
Protests were scheduled in Dealey Plaza Friday evening, Saturday at noon outside the Tarrant County Courthouse in Fort Worth and next Wednesday, June 29, at noon on the Dallas City Hall plaza.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, "The U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in today’s Dobbs decision, bringing an end to the ‘right’ to abortion. Today I am closing all my offices as a memorial to the millions of lives lost due to abortion."
Tonight at 6:00 p.m. KRLD news will present a special program detailing all sides of the issue from the fallout to what will happen going forward.
A statement by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President Gary W. Floyd, MD said, "TMA remains committed to protecting the privacy and sanctity of the patient-physician relationship. TMA is unwavering in its stance against intrusions by government or other third parties that impede the patient-physician relationship, and any criminalization of acceptable and appropriate medical practices that may jeopardize that relationship or patients’ safety.
“Especially in high-risk situations, patients need to know their physicians will be there to care for them, and TMA will continue to work with state lawmakers to ensure a safe practice environment for physicians and their patients.”
One of the most prominent pro-life groups in Texas is hailing today's Supreme Court ruling.
Texas Right To Life President Dr. John Seego says the overturning of Roe v. Wade is the culmination of decades of hard work by his organization. Dr. Seego says even though Texas' trigger law banning abortions officially takes effect 30 days from the upcoming issue of judgment, abortion is essentially illegal in Texas, starting now.
Furthermore, Seego says the Texas Heartbeat Act is still in effect, meaning private citizens can still sue abortion providers for up to $10,000.
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