Ohio declares abortion to be a ‘constitutional right’

The US state of Ohio has approved a radical pro-abortion amendment establishing a state constitutional “right” to abortion.

Issue One, which was passed by approximately 57 per cent of the public’s vote, claims every “individual has a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions”, including abortion. It states that “abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability”, but not if it is deemed “necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health”.

Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Jason Stephens said despite the vote, there are “multiple paths we will explore to continue to protect innocent life”.

‘United’

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Protect Women Ohio said: “Ohio families, women and children will bear the brunt of this vote” but “the pro-life movement is more united than ever.

“We stand ready during this unthinkable time to advocate for women and the unborn, just as we have always done. We persevered for 50 years to overturn Roe v Wade. Ours is a movement that has always endured, and always will.”

Voters also approved Issue Two legalising cannabis in the state, although it is still illegal under federal law. Unlike Issue One, the statute is not a constitutional amendment so can be easily amended or repealed.

From 7 December, adults over 21 will be allowed to purchase and possess up to 70g of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home.

‘Poorest of the poor’

In October, just days before early voting opened on Issue One, around 6,000 people gathered in Columbus for the state’s second March for Life.

President of March for Life Jeanne Mancini said: “We are all united by one common understanding, that every life is a gift and every person has inherent human dignity from the moment of conception.”

“It has been said that a society can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Well let’s be clear, the unborn are the poorest of the poor, they are the most vulnerable.”