In April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban. The ban appeared ready to take effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last week.
On Thursday, a Florida Circuit Court put a temporary halt on the 15-week abortion ban, saying that it violates Florida’s constitution.
The decision will not take effect until next week, meaning that Florida’s 15-week abortion ban will still take effect this Friday.
The state of Florida is likely to appeal the decision, and attorneys for the state are confident it will be reinstated during the appeals process.
The decision was issued by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, who ruled that the law was unconstitutional under the Florida Constitution’s right to privacy.
The case was brought by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, with Cooper saying that his “order complies with the present state of the law in Florida,”
DeSantis’ office issued a response to the ruling on Thursday morning.
“While we are disappointed with today’s ruling, we know that the pro-life HB 5 will ultimately withstand all legal challenges. We reject this interpretation of the law because the Florida Constitution does not include–and has never included–a right to kill an innocent unborn child.”
Florida politicians and activists gave their opinion on the ruling this Thursday on Twitter.
Chris Sprowls, R-Clearwater, who is the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, said that he is “disappointed” about the decision but expects that Florida courts will give a “correct interpretation” of the state’s privacy laws upon appeal.re
Today’s ruling on pro-life HB 5 is disappointing but not unexpected. This issue will need to be resolved in the @flcourts, where I hope to see a correct interpretation of the state's privacy clause & HB 5 implemented statewide to save tens of thousands of innocent babies' lives. https://t.co/uNvlSsm27b
— Chris Sprowls (@ChrisSprowls) June 30, 2022
Politico took a victory lap after the ruling, calling the abortion law’s temporary pause a “stinging defeat” for Governor DeSantis. Florida Republican party official Evan Powers mocked their choice of words and said he “looks forward to him (the judge) being overturned”
Come on Gary it’s not a stinging defeat, did anyone expect Cooper to rule any other way, look forward to him being overturned https://t.co/5Wsxysm1H6
— Evan Power (@EvanPower) June 30, 2022
Florida Agriculture Commissioner and Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried responded to the ruling by saying that she will “keep fighting” for abortion rights in Florida.
The 15-week abortion ban was just ruled unconstitutional in Florida. Because it is.
We won't go back.
We will keep fighting.— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) June 30, 2022
Her primary opponent, Charlie Crist, who is currently polling ahead of her by double digits, said he would veto ‘any restrictions’ on abortion if he became Governor of Florida.
Florida Democrat Charlie Crist: “I will veto ANY” abortion limits if elected governor. pic.twitter.com/j89PiAw2ub
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 30, 2022
Both Crist and Fried are polling behind DeSantis by double digits for the Florida Gubernatorial race.
