DESANTIS BANS ABORTION AT 6 WEEKS

Jason Parsley

Bob Dylan’s voice played over the speakers at The Venue. Not the usual music crowds are used to hearing in the iconic club. But this wasn’t a usual day, and the crowd was there to honor an even more iconic person.

The community of Wilton Manors gathered to remember Norm Kent, a man who dedicated his time on Earth to improving the lives of others. He passed away on April 13 after a long fight with cancer, but the outpouring of love at the memorial is proof his spirit lives on.

Near the front by the podium, Norm laid in his open casket, accompanied by a Dodger Blue catcher’s mitt, a reminder of his love of baseball in general and the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers specifically. People passed by the casket to pay one final tribute to a man who impacted millions of lives in ways large and small.

The tears flowed.

But as the service began, the tears began to dry and smiles emerged. Speaker after speaker shared personal stories. John Fugate talked of how Norm came into his life, offering him shelter in a tough time. Once Fugate accepted, he never left, and walked with Norm the rest of his life.

His brother spoke on behalf of the family, talking about growing up in Brooklyn, sharing a room growing up, and evolving baseball loyalties. It’s an insight few people ever saw.

Russell Cormican, his law partner of 25 years, spoke of how Norm put people ahead of billable hours. Cormican reflected on a man who was being harassed by police and arrested weekly, if not more, just for being homeless and trying to eke by selling papers. They filed motion after motion on each charge until the courts and police agreed to leave him alone.

Unlike his work to legalize marijuana and advance gay rights, this one never made headlines or set precedent. This one was for the little guy.

Near the end of the service, Rabbi Noah Kitty came up to offer a prayer and some words of comfort. She noted that Norm was not religious, but his Jewishness was still an important part of what made Norm.

As people shuffled out, there were hugs, stories shared between friends, and a last look back at Norm. He brought the crowd together in his life and in his death, and everyone knew the world outside the doors is intangibly different without him there waiting to go with us.

You can watch the entire memorial service on SFGN’s Facebook Page.

Despite outrage and protests from the left, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

The ban will only take effect if the state’s current 15-weekban, which was signed into law last year, is upheld incourt. That challenge is before the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives.

Florida Planned Parenthood tweeted: “TO BE CLEAR: Abortion remains legal in Florida until 15 weeks. This bill will not go into effect until 30 days after the FL Supreme Court undermines our right to privacy.”

The law contains some exceptions, including to save the life of the mother. Abortions due to rape or incest would be allowed until 15 weeks of pregnancy, but only if a woman has documentation such as a restraining order or police report.

Also under the new law, drugs used in medication-induced abortions can only be dispensed in person or by a physician. Nationwide, a majority of abortions are drug induced.

Previous state Supreme Court rulings have interpreted Florida’s constitutional right to privacy as including access to abortion. But many people fear the court has taken a hard shift to the right and will uphold additional restrictions on abortion.

Earlier in the month Lauren Book, a Democratic state senator, and Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, were arrested and charged with trespassing during a protest in Tallahassee. On April 13, Democrats in the House attempted to delay the bill’s passage, filing dozens of amendments to the proposal. All were rejected by Republicans.

Equality Florida says abortion rights and LGBT rights are a “common cause.”

“All of our rights are on the line. We are in this fight to make sure everyone has the power to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. Building a more just and equitable society means ensuring abortion care is available and affordable for all,” reads a statement on the organization’s website. “It’s essential that we protect the legal right to abortion, especially now. Abortion is health care. And health care is a human right. We can not go back, and we will not back down. We must stand shoulder to shoulder and fight these attacks together.”