Mexico Falls

Mexico City voted late Tuesday night to make abortion legal up until the 12 week. Catholic World News reports:

Mexico City, Apr. 25, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The provincial legislature of Mexico City has approved legal abortion through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The vote-- which came despite heavy opposition from Catholic Church leaders-- would make Mexico one of the few countries in Latin America where abortion is legal. Pro-life activists have moved immediately to challenge the legislative action, asking for a referendum vote on the issue.

The proposal for legal abortion won easy approval, in a 46- 19 vote. The bill now requires only the signature of Mexico City's Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, who has already signaled his approval.

Legislators easily defeated a proposal to delay the vote until a popular referendum could be conducted. But pro-life activists said that they would continue to press for the referendum. Armando Martinez, a leader in the referendum movement, called the legislature's April 24 vote "a step backward for democracy."

The new law will make abortion legal only in the Mexico City region. However, women from around Mexico can now travel to the capital city to procure abortions. Thus Mexico will join Cuba and Guyana as the only Latin American nations allowing abortion on demand.

Reuters has coverage and so does CNA.

Thomas has been covering it and so has Amy. Still waiting to hear if Fr. Pavone has anything to say. If anybody knows of any statements he's made e-mail me or post something in the combox...

This whole debacle has been ripe for pictures:

On the left, prolife activists carry infant coffins protesting the decision while on the right pro-choice activists, dressed like clergy and nuns, celebrate the decision.