Federal Judge Blocks Missouri's Eight-Week Abortion Law From Taking Effect

A federal judge in Kansas City has blocked Missouri’s eight-week abortion ban from taking effect after midnight Tuesday.

Senior U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs issued a preliminary injunction blocking all parts of the law, except a "non-discrimination" section banning abortions on the basis of race, sex or Down syndrome.

Although not a decision on the merits, the ruling is a major victory for the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis, the only remaining abortion provider in Missouri, and its medical director, Colleen McNicholas.

Both challenged the law's constitutionality in a lawsuit filed last month. In order to secure a preliminary injunction, they needed to show they were likely to prevail on the merits.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/federal-judge-blocks-missouri-s-eight-week-abortion-law-taking-effect