Louisiana judge blocks state from enforcing abortion ban for second time

A state judge in Louisiana granted a temporary restraining against the state’s abortion ban from going into effect for the second time.

Judge Donald Johnson on Tuesday halted the state from enforcement their so-called trigger law that went into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. According to CNN, the court order allows abortion services to resume in the state until Monday, when a hearing is set to be held.

The court order comes less than a week after a state district judge lifted a previous court order that had blocked the state from enforcing their abortion law, which bans abortion in all cases, except when the mother’s life is in danger.

“This is an incredible relief for people who need abortion care right now in Louisiana. Abortion care in the state can resume today, and further irreparable harm has been avoided,” said Jenny Ma, a senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Our work continues and we now look ahead to our hearing on Monday, where we will ask the judge to block the bans more permanently.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry hit out at the court’s ruling, saying on Twitter: “To have the judiciary create a legal circus is disappointing and what discredits the institutions we rely upon for a stable society.”

“The rule of law must be followed, and I will not rest until it is. Unfortunately, we will have to wait a little bit longer for that to happen,” he added in a follow-up tweet. “Any society that places themselves before their children (the future) does not last.”