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Protests erupted across the state over the weekend, following the release of the United States Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Roe v Wade decision that protected a woman’s right to an abortion.
Demonstrators took to the Houghton-Hancock Bridge Saturday afternoon to express their feelings.
At this point, nothing has changed in Michigan. The state’s 1931 abortion law is still on the books, criminalizing the procedure in all cases except to save the life of the mother.
Implementation, though, has been suspended by a temporary order issued by Judge Elizabeth Gleicher of the Michigan Court of Claims. That order, in a lawsuit initiated by Planned Parenthood, is being appealed by Michigan Right to Life and other conservative groups. Meanwhile, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to render an immediate opinion as to whether an abortion ban violates the state constitution.
An initiative to put an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing abortion rights on the November ballot continues. Organizers must collect at least 425,059 signatures from Michigan voters by July 11th.
Clinics across the state are already reporting an increase in calls from women in states where abortion bans have taken effect, including Wisconsin.
Should abortion become illegal in Michigan, nearby options would include Illinois and Canada.
