Appeals court keeps block on Mississippi 6-week abortion ban

In this Oct. 2, 2019 file photo, an abortion opponent sings to herself outside the Jackson Womens Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. Three judges from a conservative federal appeals court are hearing arguments, Monday, Oct. 7, over a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law in 2018, the state’s only abortion clinic immediately sued and U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves blocked the law from taking effect. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Feb 20, 2020 / 05:17 PM AST

Updated: Feb 20, 2020 / 05:17 PM AST

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal appeals court is keeping a block on a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions at about six weeks — when many women may not even know they are pregnant.

A panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the decision Thursday.

The appeals judges agreed with a district court judge who blocked the six-week ban from taking effect in 2019.

The only abortion clinic in Mississippi sued the state soon after the law was signed by then-Gov. Phil Bryant.

In December, the same appeals court kept a block on a separate Mississippi law to ban most abortions at 15 weeks.

This story is developing and will be updated.