Frontline Season 24 Episode 2 The Last Abortion Clinic

In season 24 of Frontline, the second episode titled "The Last Abortion Clinic" delves into the ongoing battle over abortion rights in America. The episode focuses on the state of Mississippi which has only one remaining abortion clinic- the Jackson Women's Health Organization. The show highlights the constant attempts of the Mississippi state legislature to shut down the clinic, in an effort to make the state the first in the nation to ban abortion entirely.

The show frames the issue by following two women- April Jackson, the owner of the clinic, and Shannon Brewer, the clinic's director. Both women have been fighting to keep the clinic open amid increasing restrictions and attempts to close it down. The episode shows how the constant barrage of legal challenges, threats, and harassment from anti-abortion groups and protesters has taken a toll on the clinic staff. The atmosphere around the clinic is tense, with protestors gathering outside the clinic on a daily basis, often with graphic signs and shouting obscene comments.

Frontline also provides context on the larger fight over reproductive rights in America, tracing the decades-long political and legal battles over legal abortion. The episode highlights the key role of the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that established a constitutional right to abortion. The show chronicles the rise of anti-abortion activists and their efforts to repeal Roe v. Wade, largely through the state-by-state strategy of enacting restrictive laws.

The episode also highlights how many of these laws have disproportionately affected low-income and minority women. Researchers have found that women of color are more likely to face barriers to accessing reproductive health care, including abortion services. The show includes interviews with Mississippi women who share their experiences of being unable to obtain abortion services in the state, and the logistical and financial challenges of traveling out of state.

At the heart of "The Last Abortion Clinic" is the struggle over abortion rights in Mississippi, and the potential implications of the state's ongoing efforts to close the clinic. The episode highlights the political, legal, and social battles that have shaped the national debate over abortion, as well as the human stories at the center of the controversy. By highlighting the lives of the women and providers caught up in the fight over reproductive rights, the show offers a powerful and compelling perspective on one of the most polarizing debates of our time.