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'Time to f**king revolt': Outrage after Florida bans abortions with no exemption for rape

Governor Ron DeSantis declares state defending those 'who can't defend themselves', but offers no exemption for rape, incest, or human trafficking

Florida joined the growing list of states banning, or severely curtailing access to abortion on April 14, 2022. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proudly declared the sunshine state was defending "those who can't defend themselves" while he signed into law House Bill 5. The shocking new legislation, which bans abortion after 15 weeks, makes no exemptions for cases of incest, rape, or human trafficking.

The bill was passed by the State House and Senate in March, despite widespread opposition from Democrats and pro-choice supporters. It is part of the GOP's widespread assault on women's rights, and Roe v Wade. The landmark Supreme Court was partially lifted, as Mississippi has asked enabling such "trigger bans" to be legal. It has opened the floodgates to a long series of similar legislation, perhaps most controversially in Texas. 

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HB5 goes into effect on July 1, replacing a previous bill that allowed abortions up to 24 weeks. "House Bill 5 protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain," DeSantis claimed. However, there's a widespread fury that the bill offers no protections for victims of sexual violence or human trafficking. The only exceptions are if the abortion would save the life of a pregnant person, or prevent serious injury. 

There's also another exception for "fetal abnormalities" discovered after 15 weeks. However, in this case, two doctors must sign off confirming the baby won't live long after birth before the abortion can be done. However, those concerns were swept aside by the Governor, who signed the bill at an evangelical Church. "This will represent the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation," he declared, adding, "t’s a statement of our values that every life is important."

As expected, the signing was met with widespread condemnation online. DeSantis, who is largely seen as a 2024 Presidential hopeful, was brutally slammed on social media, as furious users decided to tell him exactly what they thought about HB5.

'If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention'

"BREAKING: Ron DeSantis just signed a 15-week abortion ban into law in Florida, making it officially time to f-----g revolt," one person declared. Another tweeted, "Ron DeSantis just signed a 15-week abortion ban in Florida. Women's choice is under full assault. If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." A Flordia lawmaker said, "Governor DeSantis plans to sign HB5, the 15 week abortion ban into law today. Another effort by our Governor to appeal to a conservative base as he strips away the bodily autonomy of Floridians. Decisions around someone’s pregnancy are personal & should not involve politicians."

The New York Attorney General said, "This is wrong. This is oppressive. This can’t be tolerated." One person slammed, "Apparently the Florida Gov has decided that it's ok to kill a fetus at 14.5 weeks, but wait a few days and abortion is murder. This isn't pro-life, it's pro-control." Another noted, "DeSantis just signed a bill that will make abortion illegal in Florida after 15 weeks. And he signed the bill in a church. I thought there is supposed to be a separation of religion and state. DeSantis needs to GO!!!"