A federal judge in Tallahassee, Florida, has extended a temporary restraining order blocking the head of the state’s health department from threatening TV stations airing commercials for an abortion rights measure on the upcoming ballot. The ads, created by Floridians Defending Freedom, advocate for adding abortion rights to the state constitution and faced opposition from State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo who claimed the ads were false and dangerous.
The judge’s decision comes after a lawsuit was filed by the abortion rights group following letters sent to TV stations by Ladapo and a top lawyer at the health department demanding the ads be pulled. The judge’s order prohibits state officials from infringing on the free speech rights of those they disagree with. The campaign is now seeking a preliminary injunction against any further attempts to intimidate broadcasters.
If passed by 60% of voters, the proposed constitutional amendment would protect the right to an abortion until fetal viability, overriding the current state law that bans most abortions after six weeks. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly opposed the amendment, hosting campaign-style rallies and using taxpayer-funded resources to advocate against it.
The ongoing fight between advocates for abortion rights and state officials highlights the contentious nature of the issue in Florida. Critics argue that the government’s efforts to block the ballot measure and create counter-campaigns violate state laws against electioneering. The judge’s ruling emphasizes the importance of upholding free speech rights in the midst of political disagreements.
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