FARGO, ND — North Dakota’s only abortion clinic filed a lawsuit in state court Thursday to block a trigger law banning abortions following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The Red River Women’s Clinic argues that the ban violates the rights to life, security and happiness guaranteed by the state constitution that protects the right to abortion. He said the ban also infringes on the right to liberty because it “deprives patients of the ability to control decisions about their families and their health.”
The North Dakota lawsuit is just the latest litigation targeting restrictions on abortions after the Supreme Court said the procedure was no longer protected by the US Constitution.
The suit also challenges Attorney General Drew Wrigley’s statement that the ban would go into effect on July 28. The clinic argued that the Supreme Court issued its opinion on June 24 but has not yet delivered its ruling, which it said is a necessary step to activate the state. prohibition. The clinic said the high court usually takes that step at least 25 days after the opinion.
Certifying the closing date, Wrigley said there is “no ambiguity” in the Supreme Court’s decision. He said in a statement Thursday that his office is “carefully reviewing and evaluating” the complaint, but that he would not comment further until his response is filed.
Tammi Kromenaker, owner and operator of the Red River Women’s Clinic in downtown Fargo, said the facility would move across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, if necessary, but would explore all legal options to keep it open in North Dakota. .
“We have faced unrelenting attacks from North Dakota lawmakers who have long wanted us gone,” Kromenaker said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “But we will fight this draconian ban like the other outrageous bans and restrictions that preceded it.”
“In the meantime, we will keep our doors open to provide abortion services to patients who need us,” he said.
Wrigley and Cass County State’s Attorney Birch Burdick are named as defendants. Burdick said he hasn’t had a chance to discuss the lawsuit with Wrigley and that he couldn’t comment specifically on it.
“As we do in all of our cases, we will follow North Dakota law and any orders issued by the court, as they may apply to any factual situation that arises in Cass County,” Burdick said.
