Oklahoma getting country's attention on abortion bill
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — What happened at the Oklahoma State Capitol Thursday made waves that went national.
"It will effectively end abortion in Oklahoma," said Rep. Wendi Stearman of Collinsville, author of HB 4327. "It allows for civil action to be brought against anyone who aids or abets an abortion."
"They’re trying to have a bounty," said Susan Braselton.
Braselton escorts women as they enter a clinic and did one just this morning. Now?
Is she worried she'll get sued if she keeps doing what she does?
"I’m not going to keep doing what I’m doing because it’s against the law for the clinic to perform abortions. They will not perform abortions unless we get an injunction on this," Braselton said.
"Once signed, abortion will be illegal in Oklahoma, full stop," said Emily Wales of Planned Parenthood, also reacting strongly to the passage of the bill. "Today’s ban, which encourages bounty hunters to sue their neighbors or strangers for accessing abortion care at any stage of pregnancy, is a reversal of history happening in front of our eyes."
"I view it as a significant victory for women," Stearman said. "I do not believe it is a step backward. I believe that we took a step backward in the 70s and now we are returning to that value of life in the state of Oklahoma."
A legislative milestone, marked with as much controversy as the subject matter.
"Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land. The law that they passed today is unlawful because Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land. It has not been overturned. So what they did today was unlawful," said Braselton.
