SW News: In what seems to be an attempt to stifle the pro-life movement in Arizona, an appeals court has blocked an abortion ban from taking effect. The court halted the implementation of the American state’s more than a century-old abortion ban after a federal judge permitted the same. The 1901 abortion ban restricted the termination of pregnancy in almost all cases.
Upon a request by abortion provider Planned Parenthood, a three-judge panel from the Pima County appeals court ruled on Friday, October 7, that a judge erred in lifting an injunction against the law, which prohibits the procedure except in situations where the pregnant woman's life is in danger, without considering other restrictions on abortion access that the state has passed since Roe v. Wade.
The temporary restriction permits the state to restart abortions while the case is still pending. Signing the verdict, presiding judge Judge Peter Eckerstrom stated, "The court further concludes the balance of hardships weigh strongly in favor of granting the stay, given the acute need of healthcare providers, prosecuting agencies, and the public for legal clarity as to the application of our criminal laws."
The pro-abortion advocates have welcomed the verdict, while pro-life activists have decried the same. Welcoming the ruling, Democratic politicians have called on State Governor, Doug Ducey, to repeal the total ban on abortion law in the state. However, Attorney General Mark Brnovich said they would "carefully review" the court's decision.
Defending the voiceless, more than half of the US states are either likely to seek to restrict abortions or have already done so in the wake of the US Supreme Court's June decision to reverse the constitutional right to abortion and overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.