Alabama’s abortion ban won’t go into effect for six months—maybe longer if it’s held up by the courts—but it is already having one of the effects Republicans wanted: It’s terrifying women.
Women who have appointments for abortions, or are trying to get appointments now, are calling the state’s three remaining providers scared that they will not be able to get the care they need. Even after they’re told the law hasn't taken effect, women “are still terrified,” a clinic volunteer told NBC News. Women are afraid “they’re going to be thrown in jail if they go to a clinic.”
Again, that’s what Republicans want. They want to control and frighten and punish women, and while they want to do so by restricting freedoms and denying medical care, in the short term, spreading fear will do.