TALLAHASSEE, FL – A Florida judge put a hold on the state’s new, 15-week abortion ban, set to take effect today. He said it is unconstitutional and issued a temporary injunction.
Groups including Planned Parenthood of America, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state over the law passed by Republican lawmakers, claiming it violates the right to privacy in the state constitution.
Circuit Judge John Cooper agreed, just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal protections for abortions.
Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, predicted despite the new Florida ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis will follow through on his promise to fight to keep the ban.
“He not only will appeal, but come back full force with the full weight of his office, to try and do a full ban,” Hinson stressed. “We can expect that if we don’t go to the polls with that understanding.”
The Florida abortion ban includes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. In response to the ruling, DeSantis said he expected it, and does not think the state constitution mandates things like, in the governor’s words, “dismemberment abortions.” Judge Cooper plans to issue the injunction Tuesday.
Hinson urged anyone concerned about a possible outright ban on abortions in Florida to make their voices heard at the polls, because in her view, DeSantis has been able to get what he wants, so far.
“I mean, he has followed through on everything that he has said,” Hinson pointed out. “We have to believe him and, we need to vote like we believe him, because everything he does is intentional.”
Judge Cooper cited Section 23 of the Florida Constitution, which states: “Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person’s private life except as otherwise provided herein.” Republicans have long struggled to restrict abortions in the state because of the privacy clause.
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