Opponents of an Arkansas law banning most abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy say they don't need to wait until the restriction is enforced to challenge its constitutionality.
Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas and the Center for Reproductive Rights on Monday responded to the state's request that a federal judge dismiss their lawsuit over the abortion ban. A hearing is scheduled Friday morning over the groups' request for a preliminary injunction against the ban.
The ACLU and the center sued the state behalf of Dr. Louis Jerry Edwards and Dr. Tom Tvedten, who provide abortions at a Little Rock clinic.
The ban won't take effect until August, but the groups say they shouldn't have to wait until the law is enforced to challenge it.