Fight over reproductive rights takes center stage in Florida with presidential visit

Nicole Rogers
·2 min read
10

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida is set to become one of the most restrictive states in the nation to get an abortion next week.

The ban sets up a presidential-year fight over reproductive rights in the Sunshine State.

President Joe Biden visited Tampa Tuesday, calling Florida’s six-week abortion ban “one of the nation’s most extreme anti-abortion laws.”

‘It’s going to be a public health crisis’: Florida’s 6-week abortion ban to take effect soon

“It’s very dangerous situation,” Heidi Davis, a volunteer with the St. Petersburg League of Women Voters, agreed. “It’s as my shirt says, ‘Abortion is healthcare.'”

“We need to make sure that we don’t have politicians interfering with the women’s medical decisions,” she continued.

Anti-abortion activists like Andy Secola disagree, refuting the claim that the decision should be between a woman and her doctor.

“I think the vital part they are leaving out is that there is someone else involved,” Secola explained. “They’re looking at two patients with abortion, they are ignoring the child as a patient.”

Biden campaigns in Florida, slams six-week abortion ban

Florida voters will have the final say, as Amendment Four will be on the November ballot.

It reads, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability, or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, determined by their health care provider.”

Some argue the wording is too vague.

“Extreme,” Secola described. “It is pro-abortion through nine months, most people even if they’re pro-choice don’t agree with abortion through nine months.”

Others said it all comes down to women’s freedom.

“We are really just advocating for some sort of right to privacy,” Ruth’s List Florida CEO Christina Diamond explained. “We are really just advocating for people to make those very personal health decisions on their own without judgment and access when they need it.”

At least 60% of voters would need to approve Amendment Four for it to pass.

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