WASHINGTON: The United States Department of Justice on Monday said it would not tolerate attacks on people who were looking for or giving abortion in Texas, because the agency explored the challenging ways of law recently applied.
The law, known as SB8, left law enforcement for individual residents, allowing them to demand anyone who provides or “helps” abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
US lawyer Merrick Garland said in a statement the department would “protect those who tried to obtain or provide reproductive health services” through Law 1994 known as freedom of access to the Entrance Act Clinic (Face ACT).
Face actions prohibit the use of physical strength and obstruction to disturb someone who obtains or provides reproductive health services.
Former President Bill Clinton supported the law in response to violence by anti-abortion activists in the 1980s and 90s.
“The department will provide support from federal law enforcement when the abortion clinic or reproductive health center is attacked,” said Garland, added that he would “not tolerate violence against those who tried to obtain or provide reproductive health services.” Garland said the Ministry of Justice will enforce a temporary face law “urgently explore all options to challenge Texas SB8 to protect the constitutional rights of women and others.” Gubas Texas Greg Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a comment request.
The law came into force early on Wednesday in Texas after the US Supreme Court did not act on the request of the abortion rights group to prevent it.
It shows Chief Justice closer than before to cancel Roe V Wade, a decision in 1973, where abortion rights have been protected.