A county judge gave Planned Parenthood a small victory in its battle to ban Texas’ six-week abortion, granting a temporary restraining order against Texas Right to Life on Friday. According to the order, the anti-abortion rights group is prohibited from “initiating private enforcement proceedings” against the abortion rights advocacy organization, as well as against its physicians and staff.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Republican, he signed the so-called act of heartbeat of the state it went into effect in May, and went into effect Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected to stop it. Under the law, abortions cannot be performed for the past six weeks and residents of the state can sue clinicians, doctors, nurses and even people who drive a woman to get the procedure for at least $ 10,000.
Travis County Judge found that the new law, officially titled Senate Bill 8, “creates a probable, irreparable and imminent injury” to Planned Parenthood, while Texas’ right to life does not he would be harmed if he were restricted to enforcing the law.
Now, with the current restraining order, Texas Right to Life’s actions are limited. For the past two days, the group had created a website where people could leave anonymous information about “helping or inciting a post-heartbeat abortion.” And he had focused on expanding abortion bans to other states, saying he “hopes to replicate our success across the country.”
The group responded to the judge’s order on Twitter, noting that the order only applies to those who work with the organization. “The Travis Co judge’s order does NOT prevent other people who are not associated or working with TRTL from suing,” the group wrote.
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood wrote in a tweet after the abortion ban went into effect: “Let’s not back down and keep fighting. Everyone deserves access to abortion. #BansOffOurBodies”
“It’s clear: Planned Parenthood health centers remain open and we’re here to help Texans navigate this dangerous law,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson wrote Wednesday. “We will continue to fight in the courts for rights and access to abortion.”
The removal order is extended until September 17th. Another court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.