California Stands Firm: Refusal to Extradite Doctor Indicted for Mailing Abortion Pills Over 'Not Today, Not Ever'
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the US abortion landscape, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that his state will not extradite doctor Remy Coeytaux, who faces indictment in Louisiana over allegations of mailing abortion pills into the southern state.
The decision comes as part of a growing trend among blue states to protect their abortion providers from out-of-state extradition and prosecution. In 2022, California passed a shield law, joining a handful of other states that have taken similar measures to safeguard reproductive health care services.
Newsom's stance on the matter is unequivocal: "Louisiana's request is denied. We will not allow extremist politicians from other states to reach into California and try to punish doctors based on allegations that they provided reproductive health care services. Not today. Not ever."
The move has sparked outrage among abortion opponents, who argue that shield laws are illegal and that the protection afforded to abortion providers in certain states is a threat to public safety. However, supporters of these laws see them as essential measures to safeguard women's right to choose.
At the heart of this controversy is Dr. Remy Coeytaux, who allegedly mailed pills through Aid Access, an organization that provides access to abortion services nationwide. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced plans to seek Coeytaux's extradition, citing a state law that bans "criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs".
But the documents released by Murrill's office do not indicate that the woman who received pills from Coeytaux was coerced into terminating her pregnancy. The case is further complicated by allegations made against another doctor, Margaret Carpenter, who was previously sought for extradition over similar allegations in New York.
The standoff between California and Louisiana serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle over abortion rights in the United States. As the landscape continues to shift, one thing remains clear: the future of reproductive health care services hangs precariously in the balance, with states like California standing firm against what they see as extreme attempts to undermine these essential services.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the US abortion landscape, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that his state will not extradite doctor Remy Coeytaux, who faces indictment in Louisiana over allegations of mailing abortion pills into the southern state.
The decision comes as part of a growing trend among blue states to protect their abortion providers from out-of-state extradition and prosecution. In 2022, California passed a shield law, joining a handful of other states that have taken similar measures to safeguard reproductive health care services.
Newsom's stance on the matter is unequivocal: "Louisiana's request is denied. We will not allow extremist politicians from other states to reach into California and try to punish doctors based on allegations that they provided reproductive health care services. Not today. Not ever."
The move has sparked outrage among abortion opponents, who argue that shield laws are illegal and that the protection afforded to abortion providers in certain states is a threat to public safety. However, supporters of these laws see them as essential measures to safeguard women's right to choose.
At the heart of this controversy is Dr. Remy Coeytaux, who allegedly mailed pills through Aid Access, an organization that provides access to abortion services nationwide. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced plans to seek Coeytaux's extradition, citing a state law that bans "criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs".
But the documents released by Murrill's office do not indicate that the woman who received pills from Coeytaux was coerced into terminating her pregnancy. The case is further complicated by allegations made against another doctor, Margaret Carpenter, who was previously sought for extradition over similar allegations in New York.
The standoff between California and Louisiana serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle over abortion rights in the United States. As the landscape continues to shift, one thing remains clear: the future of reproductive health care services hangs precariously in the balance, with states like California standing firm against what they see as extreme attempts to undermine these essential services.
Shield laws are a no-go for out-of-state politicians trying to bully docs into silence 
Louisiana's got its own issues with reproductive rights, maybe focus on fixing those instead of targeting others? 
. I mean, can you imagine if this was a slippery slope? Next thing you know, they'll be after docs in other states for 'just' providing reproductive health care services... it's just too much. What's next, trying to shut down healthcare clinics over access to birth control pills? 
It's like, we get it, there are differing opinions on the matter, but let's not forget that abortion is a fundamental right for many people in this country 
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. I mean, I knew CA was gonna stand up for its docs but still. It's crazy how the gov's handling this situation... it feels like they're trying to play politics with people's lives. I don't think it's right that a doc's being persecuted just 'cause they're helping women get the care they need. And what about the organization, Aid Access? They're just doing their job and providing services to people who need them. It's not like they're promoting abortion or anything... 
It's crazy how some ppl think they can just impose their laws on others and get away with it. The fact that CA stood up for Dr. Coeytaux shows that there are still people willing to fight for what's right, even when the odds are against them. Maybe we should all take a page from Abraham Lincoln's book: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 
Coeytaux is actually doing some good work with Aid Access, providing much-needed support for people who can't get care elsewhere. The fact that Louisiana is going after him like this just shows they're not on board with reproductive rights... 
Like seriously, can't Louisiana just chill? I mean, I get it, abortion is a big deal, but come on, doctor's gotta have some freedom too. It's like, one day you're all "pro-life" and the next you're trying to send docs to jail for doing their job... 
. I mean, who gets to dictate where doctors can and can't practice? It's like they're playing God over women's bodies 
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. As a society, we should be supporting doctors who provide life-saving care, not demonizing them 
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. One thing's for sure, though: I'll be cheering on California and all the other blue states that are standing up for reproductive rights 
. Shield laws in blue states like CA are just what we need to protect docs from gettin bullied by politicians who wanna control people's bodies 
. And let's be real, the fact that another doc (Margaret Carpenter) is also being targeted shows how far some ppl will go to restrict access to healthcare 
- here's hopin this sparks a national conversation about reproductive rights and not just be a footnote in the abortion debate 
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. California's decision to stand firm on this issue is actually really inspiring 
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. Can't we just focus on getting ppl access to quality healthcare without all the drama? 