Florida's six-week abortion ban goes into effect Wednesday, and protesters clash with police. 

Florida's 6-week abortion ban to take effect Wednesday

Florida’s six-week abortion ban will take effect Wednesday, replacing an existing law that allows abortions up to 15 weeks across the state. 

The law in question, Senate Bill 300: Pregnancy and Parenting Support, was passed by the state legislature in April 2023, and was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis later that year. However, there was a provision in the text of the law that said it would take effect “30 days after … a decision by the Florida Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. State, that allows the prohibition on abortions after 15 weeks.”

The state Supreme Court ruled that the existing 15-week abortion ban was constitutional on April 1, clearing the way for the 30 day countdown. 

Most abortions are obtained before the 15-week mark, so the current ban does not affect most people seeking abortion. But a six-week ban would likely have a major impact on women seeking abortions in Florida, and throughout the South.

DeSantis appointed five of the high court’s seven justices.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration reported there were a total of 84,052 reported terminated pregnancies across the state in 2023. That number includes 7,736 abortions that were from people living out of state, something that DeSantis addressed in an interview last year with CBS during his presidential bid. 

“We have become, against our wishes, a destination,” he said. “We don’t want to be an abortion tourism destination.”

The six-week ban allows exceptions that allow a woman to obtain an abortion if she is a victim of rape, incest, or human trafficking. If any of those exceptions were to occur, physicians are required to report such incidents to their local police agency. 

In a turn of events, the Florida Supreme Court also approved the wording of a proposed state Constitutional Amendment that would allow abortion until 24 weeks into pregnancy. That proposed amendment will now appear on ballots across the state in November, allowing voters to approve a direct amendment that would override the existing six-week ban taking effect Wednesday. 

Former President Donald Trump, the 2024 GOP presumptive presidential nominee, said in an interview with TIME magazine that he would defer to individual states if they want to enforce abortion laws by monitoring women’s pregnancies and prosecuting them if they get abortions.

“It’s irrelevant whether I’m comfortable or not. It's totally irrelevant, because the states are going to make those decisions,” Trump said when asked if he would be comfortable with states criminally charging women for getting abortions. “And by the way, Texas is going to be different than Ohio. And Ohio is going to be different than Michigan.”

Law enforcement arrest 10 pro-Palestinian protesters at USF

Police moved in Tuesday evening on pro-Palestinian protesters on the University of South Florida campus with what appeared to be tear gas, arresting ten protesters, one of which had a handgun in his jeans, according to Universiaty officials. 

Protesters were seen scattering around the campus as police moved their line-up to take over the area where the protesters had been holding up.

Law enforcement had ordered protests to break up at about 5 p.m., and then began moving in a few minutes later.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was asked to asks USF police with the arrests. 

"Violent or unsanctioned protests on University Campuses or anywhere in Hillsborough County Florida will not be tolerated,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This is Florida, a law and order state. Every student, regardless of color, creed or religion, should be able to feel safe and learn in a secure environment. Every student should be able to freely move about campus without fear of harassment or intimidation."

Spectrum Bay News 9 caught video of several people being taken into custody by police. The exact number of arrests wasn't immediately available.

At 5:37 p.m., officers could be seen taking off their gas masks and other equipment as the situation appeared to be settling.

Tarps, bottles and other items were being removed by people at the scene as officers watched on.

In a Tuesday evening statement, the school said, in part:

"Throughout the day, USF staff members and university police remained in regular communication with protestors about the expectations for maintaining a peaceful event.

As the day progressed, police observed participants in person and through social media expressing their intent to use some of the items they brought on campus as weapons and to resist university staff members and law enforcement officers. As a result, USF police determined that the protest was no longer peaceful, and participants must leave the area. 

At that point officers made multiple attempts to inform participants that the protest was ending, and they needed to disperse. Several times protestors were given verbal instructions by police that the assembly was now considered unlawful and warnings that failure to comply would result in further actions, including arrest.  When participants refused to comply with the direction, university police with supporting law enforcement agencies dispersed the event. A number of individuals were taken into custody."

Protests at USF and Across the State and Country

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been taking place across the state and nation in recent days. Nine people were arrested Monday at a protest at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

At USF, the big sticking point involved putting up tents. On Tuesday, one tent was erected, but was shielded from view as demonstrators stood all around it as law enforcement and university officials were yards away monitoring.

The scene included chanting, signs and calls to action at a time when students are usually on edge because of final exams and graduation.

Will Mleczko, a sophomore economics student, was at Monday’s protest that saw three people taken into custody, and was back Tuesday. He said he was willing to face any consequences.

“Yeah, I’m willing to be arrested,” he said. “(Monday) the cops were specifically pointing at me because I was one of the students putting up a tent.” Tents are not allowed without approval, and USF says no student group requested approval this week to use them.

Law enforcement was visibly present, and demonstrators claimed that cameras were monitoring their actions.

“Currently, it’s either the school, it looks like the school is setting up cameras and all of the trees with solar panels,” said Yaakov Geffom of Progressive People’s Action & Progressive Jewish Coalition. “They’re trying to get as much surveillance on us as possible, but we’re not afraid. We’re out here and honestly, send us the video.”

Shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, police told protesters to leave or face consequences.

Judge holds Trump in contempt for violating gag order

Judge Juan Merchan has found former President Donald Trump in contempt for violating the gag order preventing him from discussing numerous individuals, including witnesses, in the hush money trial currently being held against him.

Merchan fined Trump $1,000 for each of the nine violations, totaling $9,000. Prosecutors alleged 10 violations.

In his written order, Merchan warned Trump that further violations could result in jail time.

"Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment," the judge wrote.

Merchan ordered Trump to remove the posts from his Truth Social page and campaign website by Tuesday afternoon.