Planned Parenthood And ACLU File Lawsuit Over Alabama's Abortion Ban

Activists are seen holding placards during the protest.

Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed a lawsuit to block a new law in Alabama that makes it a felony to perform an abortion in almost all instances. The new law only allows for abortions in cases when the mother's life is in jeopardy and does not make exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

Under the new law, doctors who perform abortions could face up to 99 years behind bars.

"With this lawsuit, we are seeking a court order to make sure this law never takes effect," said Randall Marshall, Executive Director of the ACLU of Alabama. "We hope our state's elected leaders take note and stop using taxpayer dollars on a legal gamble that they know is unconstitutional and unenforceable."

The law was passed with the intention of getting the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade overturned.

"We not only expected a challenge to Alabama's pro-life law from ultra-liberal groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, we actually invited it," Alabama state Rep. Terri Collins said. "Our intent from the day this bill was drafted was to use it as a vehicle to challenge the constitutional abomination known as Roe v. Wade."

Similar bills have been signed into law in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Ohio, though none of those are as restrictive as the Alabama bill.

Photo: Getty Images


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