Arizona near-total abortion ban remains in effect after judge denies Planned Parenthood’s stay
Sep 30, 2022, 4:56 PM
PHOENIX — The near-total abortion ban in Arizona will remain in effect after a judge denied Planned Parenthood’s motion for a stay pending an appeal in the lawsuit on Friday.
The decision comes just days after the request to stop the legal proceeding, meaning women seeking abortions must find alternative ways out-of-state. The ban does not include women whose lives are in danger due to their pregnancy.
“We are outraged by the Pima County superior court’s denial of our request for a stay pending our appeal,” Brittany Fonteno, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, said in a press release.
“Let’s be clear, this ruling is not in line with the views of Arizonans who believe abortion should remain legal. Arizonans should rightfully feel enraged.”
Fonteno added, “It is impermissible that Arizonans are waking up each morning to their elected officials making conflicting statements about which laws are in effect or claiming that they do not know, and yet the court has refused to provide any clarity or relief.”
Some of the confusion stems from the bill that Gov. Doug Ducey signed in March, which would’ve banned abortions after a 15-week period.
That 15-week ban was passed before the Supreme Court gave authority over abortion laws to states on June 24.
“For nearly 100 days, Arizonans have experienced pure chaos and confusion and it has been devastating for our physicians and staff who have been forced to notify patients that they can no longer care for them, and traumatic for our patients who have been forced to flee the state to receive basic health care,” Fonteno said.
Moving forward, Planned Parenthood will continue advocating for reproductive freedom for all, Fonteno said.
“The fight to restore abortion access to Arizonans is far from over as we will continue to appeal the court’s ruling,” she said.
