Planned Parenthood, ACLU Cheer Latest Legal Victory Over State

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Original story from IPBS-RJC

Brandon Smith

Article origination IPBS-RJC

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky CEO Christie Gillespie, left, and ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk discuss their latest legal victory over the state of Indiana in an abortion lawsuit.
*Brandon Smith/IPB News*

Indiana Planned Parenthood and ACLU leaders cheered Friday another legal victory against the state’s anti-abortion laws.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down portions of Indiana’s 2016 measure, which in part banned abortions performed solely because of a fetus’s gender, race, or potential disability.

One of the appellate judges expressed frustration that U.S. Supreme Court precedent doesn’t allow Indiana to ban such abortions. But ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk says the nation’s high court had a chance three years ago to alter those precedents.

“And came down with what many people thought was even a stronger affirmation of the right of women to obtain abortions free from undue state interference,” Falk says.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky CEO Christie Gillespie says she’s frustrated Indiana lawmakers continue to pass anti-abortion measures.

“When we really could be … focusing on how to prevent unintended pregnancies,” Gillespie says.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU have scored legal victories over the state in five lawsuits challenging such statutes since 2011. Those legal battles have cost the state millions of dollars.

Tags:Planned Parenthood ACLU of Indiana Indiana abortion law

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