Guam Plans to Fight for Abortion Law
Gov. Joseph Ada plans to appeal a federal court ruling that overturned this U.S. territory’s restrictive abortion law.
The law banned all abortions except those performed to save the life of the mother. It was struck down on Aug. 23.
“I have examined my heart closely and I believe in a fundamental way that, when a child is conceived, it is, in fact, a human being,” Ada said Thursday. “Since I believe this, then it must follow that a human being has a right to live. Believing these things as I do, I find myself morally compelled to do what I can to protect that life.”
Ada said he will appeal the section of the court ruling that upheld the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision establishing the right to an abortion. The Guam law carried a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for obtaining an abortion.
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