US judge temporarily blocks Mississippi abortion law

Source: Associated Press

The law could shut down the only abortion clinic in the state

A federal judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of a Mississippi law that could shut down the only abortion clinic in the state.

U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan in Jackson issued a temporary restraining order Sunday, hours after the new law took effect.

He set a July 11 hearing to determine whether to block the law for a longer time.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48037455/ns/us_news/#.T_Dv9b9RFwk

---

Mississippi's only abortion clinic, located in the Fondren district of Jackson, will stay open at least until July 11. A group of pro-abortion rights advocates and lawyers sent out a press statement tonight announcing the temporary injunction. Here is the statement, verbatim:
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/01/breaking-federal-judge-blocks-clinic-closing/

(snip)
“Today’s decision reaffirms the fundamental constitutional rights of women in Mississippi and ensures the Jackson Women’s Health Organization can continue providing the critical reproductive health care that they have offered to women for the last 17 years.

#“The opponents of reproductive rights in the Mississippi legislature have made no secret of their intent to make legal abortion virtually disappear in the state of Mississippi. Their hostility toward women, reproductive health care providers, and the rights of both would unquestionably put the lives and health of countless women at risk of grave harm.

#“While we are pleased the court has decided to temporarily block enforcement of this medically unwarranted restriction, this battle is far from over. We will continue to fight alongside the Jackson Women’s Health Organization to ensure that the women of Mississippi are not relegated to a second class of U.S. citizens, denied the constitutionally-protected rights that other women nationwide are guaranteed.”

US judge temporarily blocks Miss. abortion law
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-07-01-Abortion-Mississippi/id-a4b4193935e44610bcb9abcf0ba9c429

(snip)
In the order, Jordan wrote: "Plaintiffs have offered evidence — including quotes from significant legislative and executive officers — that the Act's purpose is to eliminate abortions in Mississippi. They likewise submitted evidence that no safety or health concerns motivated its passage. This evidence has not yet been rebutted."

Jordan also wrote that Jackson Women's Health Organization is "the only regular provider of abortions in Mississippi, and as of the Act's effective date, JWHO cannot comply with its requirements."