The Fight for Abortion Rights: Kamala Harris Focuses on Life-Threatening Risks

Vice President Kamala Harris used her visits to the pivotal states of Wisconsin and Georgia to highlight the existential dangers of abortion bans for American women as the focal point of her election campaign's closing offensive. Her appeal included a sharp condemnation of former President Donald J. Trump. In Madison, Wisconsin, Harris spoke before an initially exuberant crowd. The atmosphere changed dramatically when she recounted her encounter with the family of Amber Nicole Thurman, who died after waiting over 20 hours for medical care following an incomplete medication abortion. "She was a vibrant 28-year-old," Harris said, adding, "Her name, Amber Nicole Thurman, and I promised her mother to mention her name at every opportunity." Harris' journey also took her to Georgia, where she decried the deaths of Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller. Both women died after having to wait for medical assistance due to state abortion restrictions. These restrictions were introduced under a six-week abortion ban made possible by the Supreme Court's overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. During a passionate speech in Atlanta, Harris made it clear that Trump had triggered a "health crisis" and made women feel "criminalized." Harris' campaign stops mark the closing of a relatively successful week for her campaign, while Trump faced another round of politically unfavorable headlines. Most notable was the scandal involving the Republican gubernatorial candidate from North Carolina, whom Trump had praised as "Martin Luther King on steroids." The candidate had referred to himself as a "Black Nazi" and glorified slavery in a pornographic chat room.