Federal judge blocks Alabama’s near-total ban on abortion

A federal judge yesterday granted a preliminary injunction against Alabama’s near-total ban on abortion. The law, which would have gone into effect on Nov. 15, was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in May and prohibits abortions in almost all instances, including rape and incest. And although it does make exceptions for when the mother’s life is at risk, the law criminalizes the procedure for doctors, who could have faced up to 99 years in prison. Other states — including Kentucky, Missouri, and Georgia — have also passed laws against abortion, although Alabama’s is the most restrictive thus far. The injunction was expected — proponents of the law have been open about wanting a legal fight, one that goes all the way to the Supreme Court to challenge the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.