by Simone Williams
On January 22, 2018, New York City lawmakers passed a law that allows a woman to get an abortion when they are up to twenty-four weeks pregnant. After twenty-four weeks the woman is only permitted to an abortion if her life is at risk.
This is a change from the law that was previously put into place in the 1970’s because back then, the only way a woman would be allowed to get an abortion would be if her life was at risk, they were given no other options.
While this law has caused upset in the public eye, people have failed to realize that this law has been being considered for over forty-nine years ever since the Roe v. Wade landmark decision.
“The sweeping legislation is a rare opportunity to update a state law that failed to match protections guaranteed under federal law by the supreme court’s 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade.” as stated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
With the previous law put into place in 1973 the new law has added to this and states that as long as a woman is twenty-four weeks along, she is allowed to have an abortion, even if her life or health isn’t at risk.
The reason why the New York Abortion law has just now been fully decided on is because the new Senate leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, promised to make the bill a top priority. Since this has happened, many people have protested to get their feelings about it across.
“With an abortion rate that is already double the national average, New York is moving in the wrong direction.” as stated by Bishop Robert Cunningham who wrote this in a letter that claimed the new law goes beyond protections guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.
Despite the publicly viewed social upset, not everybody is against the new abortion law. Sophomore Madison Ament said,“It’s her body and if she wants that then she will do what she wants regardless at the end of the day.”
Sophomore Malaysia Thomas said, “I feel like it’s the right of every individual to decide what they want to do with their bodied.”
However, with every social and public issue, people are bound to have some disagreeing opinions. Junior Helena Blanco said, “I don’t support this law, in my opinion if you took the time to create human life, then you should take care of it.”