A federal judge in Florida has extended a temporary restraining order preventing the head of the state's health department from taking action against TV stations airing commercials for an abortion rights measure on the upcoming ballot. The judge sided with Floridians Defending Freedom, the group behind the ads advocating for the ballot question that seeks to add abortion rights to the state constitution if passed on Nov. 5.
The decision came after a hearing where attorneys for the campaign and state officials presented arguments. The order prohibits State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo from coercing or intimidating broadcasters showing the commercials. This extension allows the judge more time to consider the preliminary injunction requested by the abortion rights campaign.
The lawsuit was filed in response to a letter sent by Ladapo and a former top lawyer at the health department to TV stations on Oct. 3, demanding they cease airing an abortion rights ad, claiming it was false and dangerous. The ad features a woman named Caroline Williams sharing her story of being denied an abortion due to Florida's current law, which restricts most abortions after six weeks.
If approved by 60% of Florida voters, the proposed constitutional amendment would protect the right to an abortion until fetal viability, typically beyond 20 weeks. This would override the existing state law that limits abortions after six weeks. Governor Ron DeSantis has actively campaigned against the amendment, holding rallies and allocating public funds for commercials opposing it, along with another proposed amendment on recreational marijuana use.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the clash between abortion rights advocates and state officials, emphasizing the importance of free speech rights and the First Amendment in political discourse.
