A judge prevented the US state of Kentucky from imposing a near-total ban on abortion.
A law enacted there in 2019 proposed to stop virtually all resolutions just in case Eggs against Wade – which gave women the constitutional rights to end a pregnancy – has been overturned.
The Supreme Court of the United States voted to do so on Friday.
Under so-called trigger provisions, abortions in Kentucky ended abruptly on the same day.
Since then, nearly 200 women with scheduled appointments have been turned away from an abortion clinic in Louisville, according to Heather Gatnarek, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Women are “forced to carry out pregnancies against their will,” activists said.
Judge Mitch Perry issued a temporary restraining order after receiving a petition from two clinics, paving the way for the resumption of abortions.
The clinics challenged the near-total ban and another law banning interruptions after six weeks of pregnancy.
The law that went into effect on Friday has very limited medical exceptions, allowing for a resolution only to prevent the death of a woman or serious and permanent injury.
It does not allow abortions in case of rape or incest.
Abortion rights activists demonstrate before the US Supreme Court in Washington
The situation in Kentucky is echoing across the country.
In Florida, District Court Judge John Cooper said he will accept a petition from abortion rights groups to temporarily suspend a state law that would prohibit abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.
Lawyers from the two Kentucky clinics argued that the state constitution protects the right to abortion.
But Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron argues that such a constitutional right does not exist.
Judge Perry listened to introductions from both sides before issuing his order.
“We are delighted that the court recognized the ongoing devastation in Kentucky,” Planned Parenthood and ACLU said in a joint statement.
“Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last Friday, numerous Kentucky residents have been forced to carry out pregnancies against their will or flee their home state in search of essential care. Despite this victory, we know that this fight is far from over “.
