California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that his state will not extradite Dr. Remy Coeytaux, who is facing charges in Louisiana for allegedly mailing an abortion pill to a woman in defiance of the state's near-total ban on abortion.
Newsom flatly denied Louisiana's request, stating "Not today. Not ever" – a phrase that has become a rallying cry among reproductive rights advocates. The decision comes as a major blow to Louisiana's Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill, who had sought Coeytaux's extradition over allegations that he provided reproductive health care services in violation of the state's abortion ban.
Murrill's office claimed that law enforcement officials alleged Coeytaux, who is based in California, mailed pills through Aid Access, an organization that operates under "shield laws" – a network of blue states that have passed legislation to protect abortion providers from out-of-state extradition and prosecution. The shield laws were enacted following the 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade.
However, Newsom's decision suggests that California is standing firm in its commitment to protecting reproductive rights and shielding its doctors from persecution. Coeytaux faces charges under a Louisiana statute that could result in fines and up to 50 years of "hard labor" if convicted.
The move comes as part of a broader battle between abortion opponents and advocates over the issue of reproductive rights. In recent months, several states have sought to extradite doctors who provide abortion services or participate in organizations like Aid Access. However, governors in these states – including California's Newsom – have refused to cooperate, citing their state's shield laws.
The standoff highlights the increasingly contentious nature of the abortion debate in the US. As one side seeks to restrict access to reproductive healthcare, the other is fighting to protect doctors and providers who are simply doing their jobs. The battle over Coeytaux's extradition has become a symbol of this larger struggle – with Newsom's defiant statement serving as a rallying cry for advocates on both sides.
Newsom flatly denied Louisiana's request, stating "Not today. Not ever" – a phrase that has become a rallying cry among reproductive rights advocates. The decision comes as a major blow to Louisiana's Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill, who had sought Coeytaux's extradition over allegations that he provided reproductive health care services in violation of the state's abortion ban.
Murrill's office claimed that law enforcement officials alleged Coeytaux, who is based in California, mailed pills through Aid Access, an organization that operates under "shield laws" – a network of blue states that have passed legislation to protect abortion providers from out-of-state extradition and prosecution. The shield laws were enacted following the 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade.
However, Newsom's decision suggests that California is standing firm in its commitment to protecting reproductive rights and shielding its doctors from persecution. Coeytaux faces charges under a Louisiana statute that could result in fines and up to 50 years of "hard labor" if convicted.
The move comes as part of a broader battle between abortion opponents and advocates over the issue of reproductive rights. In recent months, several states have sought to extradite doctors who provide abortion services or participate in organizations like Aid Access. However, governors in these states – including California's Newsom – have refused to cooperate, citing their state's shield laws.
The standoff highlights the increasingly contentious nature of the abortion debate in the US. As one side seeks to restrict access to reproductive healthcare, the other is fighting to protect doctors and providers who are simply doing their jobs. The battle over Coeytaux's extradition has become a symbol of this larger struggle – with Newsom's defiant statement serving as a rallying cry for advocates on both sides.
just gotta say, California is totally standing its ground here 
. It's like they're saying "hey, we've got shield laws and we're not gonna let you bully our docs into hiding" 
. And honestly, I think that's a major win for reproductive rights advocates everywhere 
. It's not about being defiant or whatever Murrill is trying to spin it as - it's just about protecting people's right to make their own choices about their bodies 
. And Newsom's "Not today. Not ever" phrase is everything and more 
. I mean, can you imagine what would happen if other states started following suit? It'd be a total game-changer 
.
i think it's a big deal for reproductive rights! the fact that cali is standing up against louisiana's abortion ban and shielding its docs from prosecution is super empowering 
and it's giving me all the feels. but at the same time, it's like, what about the ppl who want to restrict abortion access? shouldn't they have a say too? 
anyway, i'm loving the fact that cali is taking a stand and protecting its docs. let's keep fighting for reproductive rights, everyone! 
They're basically asking the world to help them catch some poor doc who's just trying to do his job. 50 yrs of hard labor? That's wild. And Newsom's "Not today, Not ever" comment? More like "Not LA, Not you". 
California's shield laws are totally reasonable and I'm glad Newsom is standing firm. Can't let these anti-abortion people just go around persecuting docs who care about women's health. It's time for some common sense in this abortion debate. 
. I mean, what's the point of having a law if you can just extradite someone for doing their job? 
California is standing up for itself and for its people, but it feels like we're losing ground on this reproductive rights thing 
?
. This decision sends a clear message to the nation that we will not let intimidation tactics from anti-abortion groups dictate our laws and values. The shield laws enacted after Roe v Wade were a game-changer, and now we're seeing their impact being felt on a national scale 
. It's heartening to see Governor Newsom take a firm stance against persecution, even in the face of adversity 
. Will we become a country where medical professionals are forced to live in fear of prosecution? The stakes couldn't be higher 
.
. If they can protect doctors from being extradited and prosecuted, it should be able to stop the flow of abortion pills too 
. Coeytaux's case isn't just about him, it's about setting a precedent for other doctors who might face similar charges if they try to provide reproductive healthcare in states with restrictive laws 
️.
. California's decision might spark more states to follow suit, which could be a game-changer for reproductive rights nationwide 
. Like, "Not today. Not ever" 
This decision by Gavin Newsom is low key huge. It shows that California is willin to stand up for what it believes in, even if it means goin against another state. The shield laws are important and it's good that CA is protectin its docs from persecution. The fact that Liz Murrill is gettin all bent outta shape over this just adds to the drama 
. Newsom's "Not today. Not ever" kinda attitude is exactly what reproductive rights advocates have been fighting for 
. The shield laws in blue states are a game-changer here, keeping the tide of persecution at bay 
. And what about the 50 years of hard labor Coeytaux could face if convicted? 
That's a pretty harsh sentence... but it's clear we've got a divisive issue on our hands 
. Do you think Newsom's stance is gonna make a difference in the long run? 
. Still, I guess that's the price of standing up for what you believe in 
Coeytaux might be fighting for a cause, but 50 years of hard labor is no joke 
California is like, totally standing up for reproductive rights and not going to extradite Dr. Coeytaux!!! I mean, who does Louisiana think they are, trying to punish someone just because they're doing their job? The shield laws were created to protect people like Dr. Coeytaux from persecution, and Newsom's decision is like, super empowering for anyone fighting for reproductive justice 
