Statement on Court Decision Striking Down Georgia’s Six-Week Abortion Ban

In July 2022, the state of Georgia banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy and made the previously routine, and lifesaving, act of performing a dilation and curettage, or D&C, a felony in all but a few circumstances. On September 30th, 2024, Fulton County Superior Judge Robert McBurney issued an order striking down the previous ban and stating abortions must be regulated as they were before the ban took effect, significantly expanding access to abortion in the state.

In response to the court’s decision to strike down Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban, Shante Wolfe, Southeastern States Field Director for URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said:
“This afternoon’s court ruling marks a critical milestone for Georgians and supporters of Reproductive Justice who have remained steadfast in their vision of a Georgia free from abortion bans. The court’s move is a testament to the power of collective action, driven by activists, organizers, legislators, and, most importantly, everyday people. We know that Georgians overwhelmingly support abortion, and today we see that it is indeed possible for our state’s laws to reflect the majority. As we celebrate this moment, thinking about all those who can now access care without fear of criminalization, we must also recognize Reproductive Justice is bigger than abortion. Our fight continues until we dismantle all systems that deny our ability to live full, dignified lives. Together, we will build a future where everyone has full bodily autonomy, free from interference from the state.”