Arizona abortions can be carried out for weeks until appeals court makes a decision

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Legal abortions that restarted in Arizona this week after a court blocked enforcement of a pre-statehood ban will be able to continue for at least five weeks while an appeals court considers the case.

A schedule set Tuesday for Planned Parenthood and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office lawyers to file their legal briefs in the case means the Arizona Court of Appeals can’t decide the case until at least November 17th.

The appeals court blocked enforcement of the civil war-era law on Friday, reversing at least for now a September 23rd ruling from a judge in Tucson.

At least two of the state’s major abortion providers restarted operations this week, and a third served walk-ins for consultations for the abortion pill on Tuesday but has not set a full schedule for future appointments.