Mary Poe’s bold legal challenge against Kentucky’s abortion laws may set a precedent in the fight for so-called “choice.”
At a Glance
- A pregnant Mary Poe challenges Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban.
- The lawsuit is focused on constitutional rights to privacy and self-determination.
- Kentucky’s trigger law was enacted post-Roe v. Wade overturning.
- The ACLU backs the lawsuit, seeking class-action status.
Kentucky’s Abortion Law Challenge
Mary Poe, under a pseudonym, has filed a lawsuit against Kentucky’s abortion laws. Her case targets the state’s near-total ban, arguing that both the trigger law and six-week restriction infringe upon constitutional rights to privacy and self-determination. According to sources, this lawsuit represents more than personal interest as Poe seeks to ensure others in Kentucky retain access to what she deems to be “healthcare,” including abortion, which she believes is fundamental for a woman’s decision-making autonomy, especially following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
They just don’t get it, do they? When will they realize that a baby’s body is not their body?
Poe’s attorneys argue against Kentucky’s existing laws that allow abortion only if the mother’s life is at risk, an immense restriction after Roe. Poe, seven weeks pregnant, faces legal constraints requiring her to seek care out of state, imposing great hardships on her and potentially others. Her frustration, shared by many in Kentucky, highlights the ongoing battle over women’s healthcare “rights.”
Pregnant woman sues Kentucky over state's near-total abortion ban https://t.co/dJLCZQzrF6
— Just the News (@JustTheNews) November 13, 2024
Legal Implications and Support
The lawsuit names Kentucky’s Republican attorney general, Russell Coleman, as a defendant.
He remains firm, “It’s the attorney general’s responsibility to defend the laws passed by the General Assembly,” Coleman said, “and we will zealously work to uphold these laws in court.”
The ACLU’s involvement underscores the broader battle over reproductive rights in Kentucky, reflecting a national discourse on privacy and bodily autonomy.
“Ending my pregnancy is the best decision for me and my family,” Mary Poe expressed in a statement.
What a tragic thing to say…
Attorney General Coleman suggested potential law amendments to include exceptions for rape and incest, which signals possible shifts in legislative attitudes. Still, previous judicial challenges against these laws faced significant hurdles, with efforts often dismissed over lack of standing.
BREAKING: We’re challenging Kentucky’s abortion bans on behalf of a pregnant woman seeking abortion care.
The bans violate our client’s right to self-determination and privacy, as guaranteed in the Kentucky Constitution.
— ACLU (@ACLU) November 12, 2024
This lawsuit marks the fourth challenge to Kentucky’s abortion laws since the significant dismissal of Roe v. Wade.
It almost seems like this is divisive activism disguised as compassion, doesn’t it…
