Oklahoma first state to ban some abortions after leak from court

OKLAHOMA repealed abortion laws yes- terday as conservative-led states banked on support from the US Supreme Court.

Republican governor Kevin Stitt signed a ban for abortions any later than six weeks of pregnancy – a day after a leaked draft judgment revealed that America’s highest court wants to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision that legalised abortion nearly 50 years ago.

‘I want Oklahoma to be the most prolife state in the country,’ Mr Stitt said. The Supreme Court leak galvanised fierce debate and scuffles at protests across the US. In Los Angeles, rocks and bottles were thrown at police following a march by people supporting abortion rights. About 1,000 people gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington and smaller protests were held in Georgia, Texas and New York.

The legislation in Oklahoma takes effect immediately. President Joe Biden has pledged to fight any attempt to weaken women’s access to abortion, saying it is their ‘fundamental’ right.