2 potential federal lawsuits could add to abortion bill protests

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Opponents of a new abortion bill have been flooding the governor’s office with calls about personal health for the past few weeks as a form of protest. Now there are reports this morning that a federal lawsuit over the bill could come today or tomorrow from both Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.

The law, signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence two weeks ago, bans women from getting abortions because of fetal genetic abnormalities like Down Syndrome. The law would also prohibit abortions from being performed because of a fetus’s race, sex or ancestry.

Pence said in a statement that he believes the legislation takes “An important step in protecting the unborn.”

On the other side, the bill has been criticized by medical professionals and several female republican members of the Indiana legislature, who say it goes too far in telling women what they can and cannot do.

Opponents say it potentially forces women to endure complicated, high-risk pregnancies and could discourage women from being open with their doctors.

The lawsuits would come as a push against the law is growing online. More than 30,000 people have liked a Facebook page called “Periods for Pence.”  The organizer of that page is telling women to call and message the governor’s office with details of their personal health.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood suits reportedly will ask a judge to put the law on hold before it takes effect in July.  Indiana is the second state after North Dakota to pass such restrictions.