//NC bill would halt abortions on basis of race, Down syndrome

NC bill would halt abortions on basis of race, Down syndrome

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans are looking to restrict abortions further in the state, filing a bill this week to prohibit the procedure if the pregnant woman is seeking it due to the unborn child’s race or the detection of the presence of Down syndrome.

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“All babies, born and unborn, have intrinsic dignity and worth and should be protected from the practice of discriminatory eugenic abortion,” Rep. Pat McElraft, a Carteret County Republican, said at a Wednesday news conference, organized by the North Carolina Values Coalition.

Abortion rights groups oppose the measure:

“Instead, these types of arbitrary bans are part of a larger campaign to stigmatize abortion care, and make it more difficult for people to access the care they need,” NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina Executive Director Tara Romano said.