Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling overturning abortion rights, the debate moved to courts across the country on Monday, as anti-abortion activists sought to quickly implement bans and their opponents tried to delay implementation of the measure.
The decision made on Friday by the Supreme Court sparked the start of a huge series of legal battles on both sides.
Many of the court cases will revolve around “trigger laws,” that is, those adopted in 13 states in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in such a way that they could take effect immediately.
The demands could also lead to the approval of old laws that, while the right to abortion was protected, remained unimplemented, as well as restrictions on the interruption of pregnancy that were on hold until the Supreme Court ruled on the issue.
“We’re going to court tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day as well,” Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, told reporters.
On Monday, a judge in Florida considered a request by women’s rights activists to block a state law that, with certain exceptions, bans all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and takes effect July 1. The Planned Parenthood Association of Utah has already filed a lawsuit in that state. The American Civil Rights Union in Arizona, along with a women’s rights group, filed an emergency motion Saturday asking to block a 2021 law that they fear could be used to make all abortions illegal.
Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the American Civil Rights Union’s Reproductive Freedoms Project, said the organization is looking at “every option” to protect a woman’s right to decide about her pregnancy. As of Saturday, all abortion services have ceased in at least 11 states, either because of local laws or confusion.
In some cases, the lawsuits may be nothing more than an attempt to delay the implementation of the new rules. Even if the courts block some restrictions, lawmakers in conservative states could eventually modify terms to rectify any perceived flaws.
Lawsuits against “trigger laws” could argue that the conditions are not in place to apply the restrictions, or that it is inappropriate for a previous legislature to pass legislation forcing the current legislature to abide by it.
Laura Herner, a professor at Mitchell Hamline Law School in St. Paul, Minnesota, said lawsuits could also argue that equal protections are lacking, or that a law does not include clear exceptions to protect the health or life of the person. mother.
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Forliti reported from Minneapolis and Mulvihill from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Associated Press correspondents Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Kate Brumback in Atlanta; Steve LeBlanc in Boston and Don Thompson in Sacramento, California.