Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant wants the state to appeal a recent federal court ruling that permanently blocks what could've been one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports.
Supporters of abortion rights in Mississippi are calling it a victory. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled last week that the law to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy is unconstitutional.
It was temporarily blocked in March after the Center for Reproductive Rights enacted an emergency filing on behalf of Jackson's Women's Health Organization-- the last remaining abortion clinic in the state.
Dianne Derzis is CEO of the clinic.
"That is the absolute basic of life. If a woman cannot decide wether or when to have a child she cannot make any decisions in her life," said Derzis.
Judge Reeves says the ban on abortion disregards the fourteenth amendment's guarantee that women desiring to control their own reproductive health may do so. Derzis says the state's attention should be focused on issues like accessible and affordable healthcare for women and reducing the rate of maternal and infant mortality.
"You would think then you would put the money and the emphasis on making sure women were able to give birth. That women in Mississippi had enough money to have and raise a child. We're telling women you need to be mothers but to hell with you if you can't afford to be," said Derzis.
Spokesman Knox Graham said in a statement that Republican Governor Phil Bryant was "disappointed with the ruling" and he "fully supports the defense of this law moving forward."
The request to appeal must first be approved by Democratic state Attorney General Jim Hood and others.
Ashley Norwood, MPB News.
