Protests erupt in U.S. state that approves first abortion ban

Protests have erupted in the U.S. state of Indiana, after lawmakers approved the first abortion ban since Roe v. Wade was overturned

The Republican-controlled Indiana Senate gave the restrictive bill final approval on Friday.

Now, the decision on whether the measure becomes law lies with Governor Eric Holcomb.

Indiana gov. signs bill banning most abortions

Indiana’s Republican Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law a bill that bans most abortions, making Indiana the first U.S. state to impose such a ban since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.

In a Friday statement, Holcomb said (quote) “Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life.”

SB1 was passed by the Republican-controlled Senate in a vote of 28-19 on Friday evening, as abortion rights demonstrators protested outside the Senate chambers.

Some held signs that read ‘My body, my choice.’ And ‘SB1 is a death sentence.’

The legislation bans abortions altogether, with exceptions allowed in cases of fetal abnormalities considered lethal, or to prevent serious physical health risks to the mother.

Exceptions also are permitted for underage victims of rape or incest, but only up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Indiana became a flashpoint for the renewed national abortion debate in late June when a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio traveled to Indiana to terminate her pregnancy because her home state banned abortions after six weeks, with no exceptions for sexual assault or incest.

West Virginia is likely days away from passing a near-total abortion ban, and some 10 other Republican-led states have already implemented similarly strict measures.