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Governor Kay Ivey signs strong pro-life law, May 15, 2019.Governor Kay Ivey / Twitter

May 16, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – As pro-lifers celebrate Alabama’s newly-enacted law to criminalize almost all abortions, the reaction from Democrat politicians, left-wing personalities, and pro-abortion activists has been decidedly more hostile.

The Alabama Human Life Protection Act bans abortion for any reason other than to “avert (a mother’s) death or to avert serious risk of substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function” (mental or emotional health would not qualify). It makes physicians committing an abortion a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and attempting to committ an abortion a Class C felony punishable by up to ten years.

The Act passed the state legislature Wednesday after overcoming attempts to dilute it with rape and incest exceptions, and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into law later that day, declaring it “stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God.”

The state chapter of the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says it’s preparing a lawsuit to block the law from taking effect—something bill supporters actually look forward to, as the measure was meant to provoke a legal battle culminating in a review of Roe v. Wade—but in the meantime, their allies in the political, activist, and media spheres are making their feelings known.

The Democrats running for their party’s 2020 presidential nomination took to social media to declare that the law “extreme” and an “utter disgrace.” They claimed it would harm women and demanded that it “be declared unconstitutional”:

Planned Parenthood CEO Leana Wen claimed that signing the pro-life law marks a “terrifying time for women in Alabama,” while NARAL president Ilyse Hogue teased “big plans to fight back in the coming days with actions in all 50 states”:

Echoing a common talking point, New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested that the law would make abortion punishable with jail time, including “women victimized by rape+incest,” while lamenting the lack of “added punishments for rapists.” In fact, the law specifies that all penalties fall on the abortionist and a “woman who receives an abortion will not be held criminally culpable or civilly liable.”

In addition, the Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles noted that Alabama already “has some of the toughest rape laws in the country,” with first-degree rape qualifying as a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years, the same classification as committing an abortion under the new law.

Numerous entertainment personalities rallied against the law as well, People reports. Singer Lady Gaga called it “heinous” and an “outrage” and former Captain America star Chris Evans called it “absolutely unbelievable,” while Bravo talk host Andy Cohen “there is a cold place in hell for the Alabama Senate.” Actress Alyssa Milano, who has been leading the charge against Georgia’s more moderate heartbeat abortion ban, tweeted a photo of herself holding her daughter and declaring “her rights are human rights”:

Notably, several right-of-center voices, including conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, Human Events publisher Will Chamberlain, National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru, Townhall’s Guy Benson, and even 700 Club televangelist Pat Robertson objected to the bill on largely-strategic grounds, arguing that it will fail to overturn Roe, and that without without a rape exception it may be too “extreme” for voters to accept.

“Well, you cowards can be uncomfortable all you want,” conservative pundit Matt Walsh responded. “Just step out of the way because we're having this fight whether you like it or not.”