A Texas judge handed a minor victory to Planned Parenthood last Friday in the organization’s fight against the state’s abortion ban beyond six weeks of pregnancy.
Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued a temporary restraining order against Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization that banned enforcement of the new six-week ban, which authorizes private citizens to sue those who perform or assist in abortion proceedings. up to $ 10,000.
The judge ruled that the new bill, which went into effect on Sept. 1, “creates a probable, irreparable and imminent injury” to Planned Parenthood, as well as its doctors and staff, should they be subject to private lawsuits authorized by the ban. Under the law, the state does not enforce the ban, but substitutes for individuals to file lawsuits against those who violate it.
The decision sets a starting point for pro-abortion rights groups to fight the new law, the most restrictive in the country.
According to the judge’s ruling, no Texas Right to Life attorney appeared in court to argue against the motion for a restraining order. The next hearing on the matter, in which Planned Parenthood will have to demonstrate its need for a permanent restraining order, is scheduled for September 13th. The temporary restraining order will expire on September 17th.
Texas Right to Life has quickly emerged as a central organization in the public debate and legal battles over the new state law. Earlier on Friday, web hosting company GoDaddy banned the services from the group’s complaint site. Activists had flooded the site, asking for advice on abortions that would be illegal under the new law, with fake contacts, even some writing computer scripts to do so.
The Supreme Court chose not to take up the case against the bill on Wednesday night, which allowed it to remain in place on a strong blow to the rights established under Roe against Wade.