Oklahoma judge denies injunction request; near-total abortion ban to take effect Nov. 1
Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong's ruling was a big loss for abortion rights advocates, but their lawyers say they will appeal immediately.
Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong's ruling was a big loss for abortion rights advocates, but their lawyers say they will appeal immediately.
Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong's ruling was a big loss for abortion rights advocates, but their lawyers say they will appeal immediately.
Oklahoma could soon have much stricter abortion laws after a judge denied a request to block multiple different laws Monday.
The state's newly passed abortion restrictions are set to go into effect on Nov. 1. Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong's ruling was a big loss for abortion rights advocates, but their lawyers say they will appeal immediately.
>> Did You See? Oklahomans rally for abortion justice during Women's March outside state Capitol
The first law requires that doctors who perform abortions be board-certified by OB/GYN doctors. Lawyers said during the hearing Monday that the law could cut the number of abortion doctors in Oklahoma by half.
The judge also denied a request to block two bills that put new regulations on medication abortion, commonly called the "abortion pill." One of the requirements is essentially a three-day waiting period.
"We are definitely experiencing an unprecedented attack on Roe v. Wade and Casey, and there's no way to get around that," said Rabia Maqaddam, with the Center for Reproductive Rights. "It's a treacherous time to be a patient seeking abortion services. What is happening across the south, but really across the country, are these really dramatic threats."
The Oklahoma Attorney General's office released the following statement in response to Monday's ruling:
"While we believe all five laws challenged in this suit are constitutional, I applaud Judge Truong for at least upholding three commonsense abortion regulations that will protect Oklahomans. The plaintiffs in this case have indicated they will appeal, and my office will continue to vigorously defend the pro-life laws enacted by the people’s representatives. On appeal, we will continue to argue that all five of the challenged laws should be upheld because the Oklahoma Constitution does not protect the right to abortion."
KOCO 5 also reached out to Gov. Kevin Stitt's office for comment, but officials have not responded as of Tuesday morning.