After a hearing, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves issued a temporary order Friday afternoon that temporarily blocked the ban. It was set to go into effect on July 1. “Here we go again. Reeves stated in the first sentence of his order that Mississippi had passed another law prohibiting abortions before viability. Reeves’ ruling highlighted the questions Reeves asked during this week’s hearing. He also pointed out that he had already permanently struck down Mississippi’s 15-week ban which was passed by the Legislature during the 2018 legislative session. Reeves’ decision was based on a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court precedent regarding abortion. This protects a woman from having an abortion after her fetus is able to live outside the womb. This usually occurs after the 21st weeks of pregnancy. He wrote that a fetus not viable after 15 weeks is ineligible for a six-week abortion. Reeves stated that the six-week ban “threatens women’s rights immediately, especially since most women don’t seek abortion services after 6 weeks.” “Allowing the law’s implementation would force the clinic not to provide most abortion care,” Reeves wrote. This law, passed by the Legislature this year, would prohibit abortions after a fetal beat is detected. This can often occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The state’s sole abortion clinic was sued by the Center for Reproductive Rights shortly after. The Center for Reproductive Rights argued that the six-week ban violated long-standing constitutional protections regarding abortion procedures. Reeves granted Reeves’ request for a preliminary order, stating that the six-week ban “prevents women’s freedom of choice, which is centrally important to individual dignity and autonomy.” This injury is greater than any interest that the State might have after the detection of an abortion heartbeat.” Reeves was a Barack Obama appointee. He also granted the Center for Reproductive Justice’s request for a six-week ban challenge to their existing lawsuit challenging the 15 week ban. Rather than filing a separate suit, Reeves allowed the Center for Reproductive Justice to submit a challenge to the six-week ban. Rob McDuff, an attorney for the Mississippi Center for Justice, stated in a release that the legislature and Governor believe they should make these decisions for women rather than letting women decide about childbirth. “Fortunately, the federal courts has once more stepped in to stop this egregious government intrusion into the private lives Mississippi’s women.” Shannon Brewer of Jackson Women’s Health Organization stated that most women who use the Mississippi’s only abortion clinic have been pregnant for six weeks or more when they receive the procedure. Brewer stated that Mississippi women need to be aware that the law has been blocked, and that we remain open to new cases. Governor. Phil Bryant stated in a Friday statement that he wants the attorney general to immediately review the injunction. “I am disappointed by the court’s decision. As governor, I have pledged to do everything I can to protect lives. Bryant stated that Bryant and the Legislature have repeatedly done exactly that. Lt. Gov. Lt. Gov. It’s not surprising that the Obama-appointed Federal Judge granted this injunction. And it’s not surprising that Jim Hood couldn’t find time to appear in person to protect these unborn babies. Mississippi must continue to appeal this ruling immediately,” Hood, an attorney general and pro-life Democrat who is also running for the governorship, represented Mississippi in the lawsuit. Hood stated through a spokeswoman, that he plans to appeal the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hadn’t “squarely addressed” this issue. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to us today as part of the Spring Member Drive.