A federal judge Tuesday temporarily froze an Alabama law that prohibits almost all abortions and makes performing the procedure a felony.

U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson, a Jimmy Carter appointee, issued a preliminary injunction he said "shall remain in effect until this court resolves the case in full." The law, enacted in May, was due to take effect on Nov. 15.


The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood had sued the state, arguing that the law violated Roe vs. Wade's prohibition on banning abortions prior to fetal viability, which occurs around 24 weeks of pregnancy.