US governor slams temporary block on America's most restrictive abortion laws
Clinic escorts Kim Gibson, left, and Derenda Hancock, second from left, and anti-abortion sidewalk counselors Beka Tate, second from right, and a woman who only gave her first name, Lauren, stand outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization's clinic, the only facility in the state that performs abortions AP
The Republican governor of Mississippi is criticising a federal judge's decision to temporarily block a state law banning abortion after 15 weeks, the most restrictive abortion law in the United States.
Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law Monday, and it took effect immediately. The state's only abortion clinic quickly sued, and U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves put a temporary restraining order on the law Tuesday.
Bryant called Reeves' ruling "disappointing". He says the law is designed to "make Mississippi the safest place in America for an unborn child."
AP
Diane Derzis owns the only abortion clinic in Mississippi. She says a woman who was 15 weeks pregnant was able to receive an abortion there Tuesday after the law was temporarily blocked.
The law and responding challenge set up a confrontation sought by abortion opponents, who are hoping federal courts will ultimately prohibit abortions before a fetus is viable. Current federal law does not.
The law's only exceptions are if fetal health problems make it "incompatible with life" outside the womb at full term, or if a pregnant woman's life or a "major bodily function" is threatened by pregnancy. Pregnancies resulting from rape and incest aren't exempted.
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