By Gudrun Schultz
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 4, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A Utah state ban on partial birth abortion can now go into effect, after a federal court lifted a three-year-old injunction against the law last week.
Utah’s 2004 ban was substantially similar to the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act that was upheld by the Supreme Court in March, according to a report by the Salt Lake Tribune. U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell lifted the injunction on Thursday, May 31, after the Utah Attorney General’s Office filed a federal petition in May.
A lawsuit filed against the state by the Utah Women’s Clinic and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah in 2004 over the state ban was on hold until the challenge to the 2003 federal Act was resolved by the Supreme Court. With the federal ban upheld, the abortion groups withdrew opposition to the state law.
“We are not challenging this particular law any further,” Karrie Galloway, director of Planned Parenthood of Utah told the Tribune last month. “It is futile.”
Assistant Attorney General Jerrold Jensen said while Utah’s law is nearly identical to the federal ban, having a state law on the books will make prosecution of violators an easier matter.
Utah has a strong foundation of pro-family support. The state introduced broad new legislation in January that would prohibit abortions except in limited circumstances such as rape, incest or serious danger to the mother.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
Partial Birth Abortion Ban Upheld by U.S. Supreme Court - A Pro-Life Legacy for Bush Established
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/apr/07041801.html
Wisconsin Assembly to Adjust State Partial Birth Abortion Ban Deemed Not Enforceable Under Federal Ban
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jun/07060101.html