Planned Parenthood, the leading abortion provider in the United States, has announced its support for a multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at enshrining abortion in the Florida Constitution, LifeSiteNews reports.
The proposed amendment would prevent the state from restricting abortion access before viability (24 weeks of pregnancy). It also seeks to require the state to ensure access to abortion and remove any barriers to the procedure.
The move is in response to legislation recently signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that bans abortion after the fetal heartbeat is detected. The new law is expected to be challenged in court, but if it stands, Florida will become one of the most pro-life states in the United States.
Opponents of the abortion law argue that it violates women’s rights and bodily autonomy, while supporters believe it protects the unborn and promotes a culture of life. The push to enshrine abortion in Florida’s constitution is likely to intensify the debate and draw national attention to the issue.
The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, which is spearheading the push, has pledged to raise at least $5 million for the campaign. More than 891,000 signatures must be collected for the proposed amendment to be placed on the ballot in 2024 and supported by at least 60 percent of voters to become part of the state constitution.