Indiana becomes first US state to approve abortion ban post Roe

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The state of Indiana, which was among the earliest to argue for tighter abortion laws, has become the first state in the United States to pass new legislation that restricts access to abortions since the federal supreme court overturned Roe v Wade.

Read: Kansas votes to maintain abortion rights

The bill was submitted to the state’s Republican governor, Eric Holcomb, who signed it into law Friday night.

The ban includes some exceptions, such as in cases of incest and rape, and if the patient's physical health is jeopardized.

Abortion rights activists chanted outside the house chamber over lawmakers’ remarks, holding signs like “Build this wall” between Church and State and “Roe roe roe your vote”. 

Over the past two weeks, lawmakers in Indiana considered testimonies involving residents on all sides of the issue rarely, if ever, backed up the legislation. While supporters of abortion said the bill went too far, those against abortion said it did not go far enough.

Advocating against the bill, Rep. Ann Vermilion criticized her fellow Republicans for saying women who obtained abortions are “murderers”.

“I think that the Lord’s promise is for grace and kindness,” Vermilion said. “He would not be jumping to condemn these women.”

The Indiana House speaker Todd Huston said that in the event that residents are unhappy, they could vote for new lawmakers.

In late June, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a law that gives American women the right to abortion. The court ruled that states may regulate abortion practices according to the court's written opinion. 

The next day, thousands of angry protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington.