Earlier this month, the notorious Texas abortion law took effect, banning all abortions after six weeks—before many even know they're pregnant.
A particularly gruesome clause in the bill incentivizes Texans to rat out their neighbors, exposing anyone who receives an abortion, or even facilitates one, after six weeks to criminal liability.
The conservative Supreme Court, for now, has allowed the law to be enforced, despite its blatant violation of Roe v. Wade, which allowed for abortions before fetal viability.
Though the nation's highest Court has sidestepped the enforcement of its own ruling, some on the ground in Texas are resisting the law. Among them, Dr. Alan Braid.
In an essay for the Washington Post earlier this month, Braid admitted to performing an abortion after the six week mark, in violation of the law.
He wrote of his decision:
"I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient, as I do for all patients, and because she has a fundamental right to receive this care. I fully understood that there could be legal consequences — but I wanted to make sure that Texas didn't get away with its bid to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested."
Now, in additional reporting from the Washington Post, Braid is facing a legal challenge from convicted tax fraud Oscar Stilley. Stilley, who is serving a 15 year home confinement sentence for his crimes, said he isn't personally opposed to abortion, but wants to test the constitutionality of the new law.
Conveniently, the Texas law promises up to $10 thousand to those who report illegal abortions.
Dr. Alan Braid\u2014who violated Texas' abortion bounty hunting law\u2014is being sued by Oscar Stilley, a felon from Arkansas who served 15 years in federal prison on fraud and tax charges.\n\nStilley is asking for 100K in damages, but no less than the 10K he's owed by law.\n\nIt's bonkers. https://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1439945974974058497\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/bptJuRWJAQ— \ud83c\udf42\ud83c\udf42Imani Gandied Apples\ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf41 (@\ud83c\udf42\ud83c\udf42Imani Gandied Apples\ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf41) 1632173055
Stilley said after filing the complaint:
"If the law is no good, why should we have to go through a long, drawn-out process to find out if it's garbage?"
The development made waves across social media.
Dr. Braid is going to win\u2014either because Stilley doesn\u2019t have standing or because SB8 is unconstitutional under Casey.\n\nThe problem is that his victory won\u2019t bind anybody else, and won\u2019t prevent other plaintiffs from bringing the same claims over and over again. That\u2019s by design.https://twitter.com/davidlnoll/status/1440062321070534658\u00a0\u2026— Steve Vladeck (@Steve Vladeck) 1632174649
This is insane. We really need a legitimate SCOTUS. These careless rulings make a mockery of the justice system.https://twitter.com/angryblacklady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— Kristen Lazarian (@Kristen Lazarian) 1632174520
New get rich quick scheme just dropped.https://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— U GOT TO BE SEEN VACCINED (@U GOT TO BE SEEN VACCINED) 1632173209
Everything is stupid.https://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— tanya hayles (@tanya hayles) 1632229177
Please read this complaint. It is unbelievable. I can't think of a better case to challenge this law.https://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— Ann Cofe (@Ann Cofe) 1632176327
U.S. having a normal onehttps://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— Matt Tebbe (@Matt Tebbe) 1632229128
People are praising Dr. Braid.
A \u201cCome at me, bro\u201d for the ages. Thank you Dr. Alan Braid.https://apple.news/ALwegPn4SR2Sr5A2Rr5eJEg\u00a0\u2026— Alison Grinter Allen (@Alison Grinter Allen) 1631996019
Dr. Braid started providing abortions for Texas women before Roe V Wade was decided.\n\nThis man is truly serving women's best interest, and has been for longer than a lot of us have been alive.\n\n#ThankYouDrBraidhttps://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1440064285586051076\u00a0\u2026— Yeet The Rich (@Yeet The Rich) 1632320973
Thank you for your courage, Dr. Alan Braid.\n\n\u201cI understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but it\u2019s something I believe in strongly.\u201dhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/18/texas-abortion-provider-alan-braid/\u00a0\u2026— Renee Bracey Sherman (@Renee Bracey Sherman) 1631997287
The situation is still developing.
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