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A federal judge temporarily prevented Friday the Mississippi from going ahead with a so-called "heartbeat" abortion law that prohibited the procedure after the first detection of an activity heart disease, which occurs around six weeks of pregnancy.
The decision of US District Judge Carlton Reeves prevents the order from taking effect on July 1.
"Here we are," wrote Reeves. "Mississippi has passed another law banning abortion before it becomes viable."
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The photo of this Friday, May 17, 2019 shows the organization of Jackson Women's Health in Jackson, Missouri. The institution is the only abortion clinic in the state. (AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis)
Reeves also overturned a 2018 Mississippi law banning abortion at 15 weeks. The state is appealing this decision.
"It certainly sounds like a challenge on the part of this court," he said of the fact that lawmakers were hit with a new ban after canceling the previous one.
Lawyers for the state's only abortion clinic – the Jackson Women's Health Organization – said Tuesday that the new law would eliminate all abortions because most women still do not know they're pregnant when a fetal heartbeat is discovered. The state said the law only limits the time when an abortion can be performed.
Exemptions will be granted if the health of a woman is in danger.
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An abortion advocate is wearing posters at the Capitol in Jackson, Missouri. He voiced opposition to state laws that prohibit abortion, banning most abortions as soon as the fetal heart rate is detected, on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The rally in Jackson was one of many to across the country to protest the restrictions on abortion adopted by the states. (AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis)
Reeves wrote Friday that the new measure "prevents the free choice of a woman, an essential element of the dignity and autonomy of the person." This injury outweighs the interest that could have the state prohibit abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat ".
Mississippi Republican Governor Phil Bryant expressed disappointment after Friday's decision.
"As governor, I am committed to doing everything in my power to protect life," said Bryant. "Time and time again, the legislature and I did exactly that."
Lawmakers in several states have recently passed or advanced restrictive abortion measures in light of a conservative majority in the Supreme Court. Opponents of abortion hope to take legal action Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion all over the country.
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Alabama recently passed a law that makes abortion a crime at any stage of pregnancy. Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ohio have approved their own abortion measures. Missouri recently approved a bill to ban abortion at eight weeks.
All bans should face legal challenges. Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Friday against the measure taken in Alabama.
In March, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Kentucky's ban.
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Under the Mississippi-mandated abortion ban, doctors who practice this procedure could have their medical license revoked.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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