'Just insane': Internet agrees as VP Kamala Harris blasts Arizona Supreme Court ruling to follow 1864 law barring most abortions

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Vice President Kamala Harris took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak out against the ruling of the Arizona Supreme Court allowing a 160-year-old abortion ban to come into effect on Tuesday, April 9.

According to CNN, the law bars abortions in all cases except when "it is necessary to save" the pregnant person’s life. Codified in 1901, the law can be traced back to 1864, even before Arizona became a state. Abortion providers can face a prison sentence of two to five years under this.

However, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated at a news conference, "No woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law … as long as I am attorney general. Not by me, nor by any county attorney serving in our state. Not on my watch.”

The state Supreme Court has provided 14 days before the enforcement of the law to give plaintiffs an opportunity to pursue other challenges in lower courts, including questioning the constitutionality of the law.

VP Kamala Harris' tweet

Taking to the social media platform, Harris shared a video where she says, "Today, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling that creates a near-total abortion ban in the state of Arizona. A ban with no exceptions for rape and incest. A ban that will apply to women before they even know they are pregnant, and threatens prison time for nurses and doctors."

"And all of this by reviving a law that was passed in the 1800s before women could vote and before Arizona was even a state. Understand: to stop bans like this, we need a United States Congress that will restore the protections of Roe v Wade," she continues. "And when they do, President Joe Biden will sign it into law."

"And let's always remember: It does not have to be this way," she concludes.

Internet laments women's rights being undermined

Netizens shared the concern of the Vice President, as the following tweets in response to her post demonstrate.

"It's unbelievable that such basic rights of women are being demolished," wrote a user.

"This ruling is like a time warp to the 19th century! #RestoreRoe" stated another.

"Horrible and barbarian, what happened to individual rights in the country? Arizona should be ashamed!" exclaimed a third.

"That’s just insane. How many young people will die because of this," mentioned a fourth.

"This will just kill women. Abortion bans don’t save babies," commented a user.

"You were a senator. Why didn't you codify it?" enquired another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.