The state of North Dakota has requested a judge to put a pause on a ruling that struck down the state’s ban on abortion. The ruling, which was made in July, found the ban to be unconstitutional as it stands in violation of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationwide. The state is seeking to stay the ruling while it appeals to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The ban in question, which was passed in 2021, prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is usually around six weeks gestation. This means that it effectively outlaws most abortions in the state. The ruling that struck down the ban was made by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland, who found that the law was not in compliance with Roe v. Wade and therefore could not be enforced.
The state’s request to pause the ruling comes as a blow to reproductive rights advocates in North Dakota, who have been fighting against the ban since it was first proposed. They argue that the ban is a direct attack on women’s rights and access to healthcare. They are urging the judge to uphold his ruling and allow it to take effect.
It remains to be seen how the judge will rule on the state’s request to pause the ruling. In the meantime, the fight for reproductive rights in North Dakota continues, with advocates vowing to keep pushing for access to safe and legal abortion for all women in the state.
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