Some prosecutors say they'll refuse to enforce state abortion bans

State abortion bans might not be enforced everywhere, as some local prosecutors tell the Associated Press they will refuse. The bans have not yet gone into effect, and are likely to face significant court challenges before they do so, but if that moment comes, it will still be contested.

“I am never going to enforce a law that’s unconstitutional, and furthermore, especially not one that targets women and girls,” said the district attorney of Macon, Georgia. It’s not just the Constitution: “I’ve spent my entire career protecting women and girls and doing everything I can to get justice for them, and I am not about to abandon them now.”

Another Georgia prosecutor said that as a woman, she believes women have the right to control their own bodies, but also “My community has spoken very clearly that they want me to put my time and resources into human trafficking, domestic violence, gun and gang violence that ultimately are a detriment to our community.”

And in Salt Lake City, Utah, which contains the state’s only two clinics, the district attorney had a personal message for people angry that he’s said he won’t prosecute. “I called some of them back, and I said to them, ’This isn’t about my politics, but let me ask you, ‘Do you want me to use the authority of my office to violate the constitutional rights of somebody?’”

This moment requires refusal—even civil disobedience—everywhere it can make a difference. A few local prosecutors refusing to charge doctors or women, though, isn’t the assurance of reproductive freedom women need, especially if the Trump Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. 

from Daily Kos http://bit.ly/2Qx92UY