ACLU Challenges Alabama Abortion Restrictions

The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging two new Alabama abortion restrictions, one banning clinics near schools and another banning a common second-trimester abortion procedure.  The complaint filed Thursday said the location restriction would force two of the state's five abortion clinics to close.  Alabama lawmakers voted earlier this spring to ban abortion within 2,000 feet of a public K-8 schools.  They also banned a commonly used second-trimester abortion procedure know as dilation and evacuation.  ACLU attorney Andrew Beck said the laws are unconstitutional restrictions designed to prevent women from accessing abortions.  The filing in Montgomery federal court seeks to amend an existing lawsuit over a requirement that clinic backup doctors have hospital admitting privileges.