LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Abortion rights advocates filed a lawsuit Tuesday that seeks to overturn the more restrictive of Arkansas' two new abortion laws, saying its near-ban of abortions beginning in the 12th week of pregnancy is unconstitutional.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas and the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the suit on behalf of two doctors who provide abortions at a Little Rock clinic, say the ban on most abortions from the 12th week of pregnancy clearly contradicts the standard of viability established by the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
The Republican-led Legislature enacted the law last month by overriding a veto from Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe. The governor warned legislators that he thought the law, which was the nation's most restrictive until North Dakota passed a near-ban as early as the sixth week, wouldn't hold up to a court challenge that was certain to come.
The lawsuit claims that Dr. Louis Jerry Edwards and Dr. Tom Tvedten could lose their licenses for providing abortions starting at the 12th week of pregnancy, meaning the law denies "patients their constitutionally-guaranteed right to decide to end a pre-viability pregnancy." It names members of the State Medical Board as defendants because the board is responsible for licensing medical professionals.
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