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Phoenix, Arizona law enforcement officers have used tear gas to considerable protesters outside the state’s Senate building following a U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the groundbreaking abortion of Roe v. Wade. Disbanded the group.
Republican Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers tweeted that “protesters threatened to break the Arizona Senate’s front door glass” as members were voting on a series of bills.
The situation escalated to a “hostage” situation as Republicans were instructed to stay out of the building, according to Arizona Senator Kelly Townsend.
“We are currently held hostage in the Senate building because the general public is trying to invade our safety,” Townsend tweeted Friday night. “Smell of tear gas, one of the members’ children is in the office sobbing in fear.”
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“I hope the J24 Commission will be created soon,” she added, referring to the January 6th Commission investigating the US Capitol riots on January 6th, 2021. ..
Law enforcement officers then deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the building, law enforcement officials said.
“The crowd was dispersed with tear gas.” Rogers said the protests were still ongoing and the situation remained “extremely dangerous.”
Two or more Dozen states limiting abortion after Roe v. Wade
Another lawmaker confirmed the use of tear gas outside the building.
“While working inside, I was disturbed by the sound of my bangs and the smell of tear gas,” Rep. Sarah Liguoli tweeted Friday night. “Protesters have been wiped out of the Capitol.”
Heavy-armed officers were found in and around the legislative body.
Senators continue to vote in the meeting room as Friday is expected to be the final day of the session. The series of votes includes a significant expansion of the state’s private school voucher system, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this week.
“We’re heading to a safe room to vote,” Rogers said.
The Senate is also expected to vote on several election-related bills.
The US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade case on Friday afternoon, effectively empowering individual states to permit, limit, or ban practices that seem appropriate.
As of June 24, Arizona’s planned parent-child relationship suspended all abortions, both medical and surgical. According to AZ Central, seven of the nine licensed providers in the state immediately stopped abortion.
Arizona has competing legislation that either bans procedures altogether or limits women to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a law in March limiting abortion to 15 weeks.
Old legislation created during the territorial era of Arizona strictly prohibits abortion. Violators are also required to be sentenced to two to five years in prison. The only exception to the ban is the abortion needed to save a woman’s life.
A Republican majority in the State Senate said Friday that an old law banning abortion altogether is enforceable. At this time, it is unclear which law will take precedence. The state court system, perhaps the Arizona Supreme Court, needs to resolve the issue.
Following a High Court ruling, at least 13 states have previously passed so-called “trigger laws” that ban most abortions. These will take effect immediately or within a few weeks after the Roe v. Wade case is overturned.
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These states include Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a rights research group in favor of abolition.
Fox News’ Lorraine Taylor, Jessica Chasmar, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.