Abortion Advocates File Lawsuit Challenging Georgia Heartbeat Law

Lawyers for Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit Friday challenging a forthcoming Georgia law that would ban abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The lawsuit marks the latest effort by women’s health advocates to push back on a recent string of policies meant to restrict abortion access in U.S. states. In filing the lawsuit, the groups hope that a judge will decide that Georgia’s law is unconstitutional and block it from taking effect as scheduled on Jan. 1, 2020. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta on behalf of abortion rights groups, as well as their doctors and patients. “As an abortion provider, as an educator, and as an advocate, Planned Parenthood vowed to fight this dangerous ban every step of the way. Today we take that next step,” Planned Parenthood Southeast CEO Staci Fox said in a statement. “By filing this lawsuit, we are defending the rights of our patients and we are lifting up the voices of countless Georgians who were ignored this legislative session. Abortion is still safe, legal, and available in Georgia, and we plan to keep it that way.” A representative from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s office said they cannot comment on pending litigation. But in previous statements, Gov. Brian Kemp has said he is undeterred by likely legal challenges to the ban, which he signed into law in May. “I realize that...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized georgia onetime Source Type: news