ATLANTA — Pro-choice groups are asking a federal court judge to block Georgia’s controversial heartbeat abortion law from going into effect in January.
Channel 2 political reporter Richard Elliot broke this story Tuesday morning and spent the day going through the filing.
The ACLU of Georgia and Planned Parenthood have already filed a lawsuit saying the heartbeat abortion law is unconstitutional.
[READ: Disney CEO: Filming in GA will be 'difficult' if heartbeat law goes into effect]
Now, they want the judge to block it from going into effect, at least until he can hear that lawsuit.
“We have reached another milestone in our fight to protect the rights of Georgia’s women,” said Andrea Young with the ACLU of Georgia.
The ACLU joined other groups outside the federal courthouse Tuesday morning to talk about their injunction request.
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Elliot sat down with the ACLU's chief legal counsel Sean Young about their push.
“If a judge doesn’t grant it, we’re going to face serious and irreparable harm to women and other families in Georgia,” Sean Young said.
[READ: More major studios will consider leaving Georgia over anti-abortion bill]
Channel 2 Action News was there as Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law in May. It bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy but does make allowances for rape, incest and the mother's health.
“It’s not a surprise that the ACLU of Georgia was going to attempt to sue the state over what we believe is a very solid bill,” said state. Rep. Ed Setzler, who wrote the bill, in an earlier interview.
[READ: Pro-life supporters call for Netflix boycott]
He thinks the law will survive court challenges.
“I think our statute is going to be upheld by the courts ultimately, and I think we’ve dealt with it in a holistic, appropriate way that recognizes the humanity of a child,” Setzler said.
Young says that judge needs to stop the bill until their lawsuit can make its way through the courts.
[READ: Alyssa Milano, movie industry take 'Heartbeat Bill' fight to state Capitol]
Elliot contacted the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday for comment.
The AG’s office said it cannot comment on pending legislation. He has not heard back from the Governor's Office.
There is no word yet when a judge will hear this motion.
Cox Media Group
