Demonstrators gather outside the United States embassy in Vauxhall, south London to protest against the decision to end constitutional protections for abortion in the US (Ashlee Ruggels/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)A US judge has rejected a call for a temporary block on the ruling to ban almost all abortions in the state.
Mississippi’s only abortion clinic is set to close after its final day on Wednesday after seeing its request for an extension denied by the state’s court.
From Thursday, a ruling comes into effect after the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion. This has led to conservative-leaning states, such as Mississippi, seeking the freedom to outlaw the practice of abortions locally.
Last month’s decision sparked celebrations as well as protests - with American performers including Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Rodrigo using stages at Glastonbury Festival to object to the ruling.
The clinic, the Jackson Women's Health Organization, had hoped the judge would stop Mississippi following Florida and Louisiana in allowing the ban to pass through the lawmaking process.
Lawyers on the clinic’s behalf had argued Mississippi’s own statutes referenced a right to abortion under its privacy laws. However, Judge Debbra Halford overruled the argument, stating the local constitution “does not mention abortion”.
