Judge temporarily blocks Louisiana abortion trigger law after activists, providers sue

A Democrat district court judge on Monday temporarily blocked Louisiana's so-called "trigger bans" that would have outlawed most abortions in the state the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit on behalf of medical providers and activists claiming that the ban is unconstitutional.

Orleans Parish Judge Robin Giarrusso (D) issued the temporary injunction with a hearing on the case scheduled for July 8. 

The Center for Reproductive Rights, on behalf of Medical Students for Choice, Hope Medical Group for Women, and Hope's administrator Kathaleen Pittman, sued Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and the state health secretary, Courtney Phillips, after the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade last week. 

"Trigger Bans are unconstitutionally vague for the separate and independent reason that they fail to provide any guidelines or safeguards to protect against arbitrary enforcement as required by the Due Process Clause of the Louisiana Constitution," the lawsuit states.

The group claims that "there is no process in place to determine that any one of the Trigger Bans has, in fact, gone into effect."

Landry has remained committed to the law. During a speech last week, he said that pro-choice challengers are "in for a rough fight."

Pittmann signaled she is also ready for the battle.

"We are committed to this monumental legal challenge – not to perpetuate an endless political battle, but to ensure our patients’ wellbeing and so that they may draw strength from our dedication to this fight," she said in a press release on Monday.