A new ad shows a potential future scenario for people all over America if November's midterms don't go Democrats' way—people being arrested because of abortions.
The ad released by California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell highlights the logical extension of Republicans' plans for reproductive freedom after the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June—criminal charges for people who are even suspected of terminating pregnancies and anyone who helps them.
And lest that sound melodramatic, nine states already have abortion laws on the books that penalize abortion with prison terms. Several states are now taking steps to limit access to contraception.
The ad gives a glimpse into just what it might look like if those laws are enforced to the letter as many Republicans claim to want.
See the ad below.
\u201cMAGA Republicans want women arrested for having an abortion. This is what that looks like. \n\n#LockHerUp\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
The ad shows a family with two children eating dinner when there's a knock on the door that turns out to be the police who have come to arrest the mother of the family for "illegally terminating a pregnancy."
She is informed her menstrual and reproductive health records have been subpoenaed and she will have to submit to a physical examination as she is handcuffed and forcibly taken from her home as her young children cry in horror and confusion.
It is not made clear if the woman actually had an abortion or was just under suspicion because of abnormalities in her menstrual cycle as the scenario sets up either as a possibility.
After the scene completes, onscreen text and a voiceover warns "elections have consequences" and urges viewers to vote for Democrats in November in order to "stop Republicans from criminalizing abortion everywhere."
Not content with simply having Roe v. Wade overturned and leaving the issue of reproductive rights to the states some Republicans, most notably South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, have proposed a national abortion ban beginning at 15 weeks.
And while some argued the ad is overwrought and the many laws criminalizing abortion already on the books are likely to be unenforceable, the United States has a history of imprisoning people for obtaining the procedure.
Speaking to MSNBC about the ad, Swalwell told the network's Joy Reid:
"I wish this was an exaggeration, but this is going to be the new reality in MAGA America if we do not win the midterms in both the House and the Senate."
On Twitter, the ad definitely had an impact on many people.
\u201c@ericswalwell This not only for an abortion as the end of an unwanted pregnancy. This is also for the removal of an ectopic pregnancy. This is also for a D&C for an incomplete miscarriage. In the eyes of the law, they are all abortions. This is your future, ladies.\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell Great ad. Every Democratic csndidate in a swing state should be running this ad or one like it. Sometimes you have to SHOUT the truth.\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell Roe on the ballot. #RoeRoeRoeYourVote #RoevemberIsComing\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell This is how it\u2019s done! Democrats need to toughen up and play ads like this! Bravo!!! Well Done @ericswalwell \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell This isn\u2019t an exaggeration. The @GOP already took away every woman\u2019s Civil Rights. Do you control your own body in your own state? What about the state next door? Or the next one? \n\nBecause of Dobbs, EVERY woman has less Civil Rights than EVERY man in EVERY state.\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell Good ad. 59% of women who get abortions already have at least one child. I like that this doesn\u2019t get into her reason - because it doesn\u2019t matter. It\u2019s her business.\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell Does this shock you? It shouldn't. They have been saying this for a long time. This is CURRENT law in AL, TN, TX, and LA, not for just elective abortions. Women need to send a message loud and strong on Nov 8.\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell These ads should be everywhere. Where is Bloomberg? Where is Stoyer? Where are the billionaires that ran for the democratic nomination for a fun little hobby? Why aren\u2019t they spending billions on these ads? Coast to coast!\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
\u201c@ericswalwell @janrobinjackson In old enough to remember women having miscarriages & law enforcement in some states investigating to make sure the woman wasn\u2019t responsible in some fashion. Just wait til women have to prove their miscarriage is an actual miscarriage\u201d— Eric Swalwell (@Eric Swalwell) 1666053858
Despite the national outrage over Republicans' attacks on reproductive rights, the most recent polling shows Republicans favored to win the House and Democrats only narrowly favored to win the Senate.
Here's hoping the reality of the situation gets through to people before midterm elections on Tuesday, November 8.
