Judge Halts South Carolina’s Six-Week Abortion Restriction Awaiting State Supreme Court Review | Gatekeeper
A judge suspended a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina pending a review by the state Supreme Court.
Republican Governor Henry McMaster signed Fetal Heartbeats and Protection from Abortion Act, S. 474into law on Thursday.
A day later, on Friday, County Court Judge Clifton Newman ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop the law.
Planned Parenthood sued the state along with Greenville Women’s Clinic and two abortionists. The lawsuit alleges that the law “violates South Carolina citizens’ constitutional rights to privacy, equal protection, and substantive due process by prohibiting abortion, providing inadequate protection for patient health, and conditioning sexual assault survivors’ access to abortion over disclosure.” their personal. information to law enforcement, and by violating the Medicaid Act and inappropriately targeting family planning through unconstitutional achievement bills.
The temporary restraining order means abortions remain legal in the state, for now, up to 22 weeks of gestation.
Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, issued a statement celebrating orders
“Today the court has granted our patient a reprieve from this dangerous abortion ban,” Black said. “Our doors remain open, and we are here to provide compassionate, judgment-free healthcare to all South Carolina residents. Even though we have a long struggle ahead, we will not rest until our patients are again free to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures.”
Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, also celebrated the decision.
“Today’s court ruling offers much needed temporary relief to patients across the state. But make no mistake: South Carolina politicians have made it clear that they will stop at nothing to remove their constituents from access to abortion—defying a state Supreme Court that just months ago ruled that a six-week abortion ban was a blatant violation of the rights of South Carolina citizens. constitutional rights. While this attack continues, Planned Parenthood and our partners will not back down,” Johnson said. “Everyone has the right to access to safe legal abortion, regardless of who you are, how much you earn, or where you live.”
Governor McMaster responded to the ruling on Twitter, saying he had filed an emergency motion asking the SC Supreme Court to resolve the matter quickly.
A little while ago, just before 5pm, we filed an emergency motion asking the SC Supreme Court to resolve this matter expeditiously. The life of every South Carolina – born or unborn – is precious and it is His gift to us. https://t.co/SNLuwoc1vX
— Governor Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) May 26, 2023
“A little while ago, just before 5pm, we filed an emergency motion requesting the SC Supreme Court to resolve this matter expeditiously,” the governor tweeted. “The life of every South Carolina person – born or unborn – is precious and it is His gift to us.”
