Attorneys for Kentucky’s two abortion clinics sought an injunction in court Wednesday to block the state’s near-total ban on the procedure, one of numerous such efforts across the country following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state’s abortion ban last week, and the two clinics, both in Louisville, resumed performing abortions. If granted, the injunction would suspend the state law while the case is litigated.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron appealed the restraining order to the state’s appeals courts, but the Kentucky Supreme Court rejected the appeal Tuesday night.
Abortion rights advocates have argued that Kentucky’s law banning abortions, set up to take effect immediately after the Supreme Court’s ruling, violates the state’s constitution.
The injunction hearing on Wednesday was focused on potential harms that could be caused by keeping the abortion ban in place. Perry indicated it could be weeks before he rules on the injunction, but will keep the restraining order in place during that time.
Dr. Ashlee Bergin, who performs abortions at Louisville’s EMW clinic and was the first witness called by the clinics’ attorneys Wednesday, testified about the many possible health risks of pregnancy. Bergin cited statistics showing that pregnancy can be more dangerous to the health of a mother than abortion.
The Associated Press
