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A federal judge is expected to rule soon on a lawsuit challenging Minnesota’s abortion law under the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.

In a crowded courtroom on Friday, Judge Nancy Brasel heard arguments for a motion to dismiss the case.

The lawsuit was filed last November by a group of plaintiffs, which includes people who claim they underwent involuntary abortions, along with anti-abortion organizations and “crisis pregnancy centers.” The plaintiffs include Women’s Life Care Center, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Dakota Hope Clinic, two doctors and three mothers.

Among the defendants are Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Gov. Tim Walz, the Department of Human Services, Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Red River Women’s Clinic.

The plaintiffs argue that the clinics and state officials unlawfully terminated women’s parental rights by coercing them into abortions. They sued the state, and several abortion providers last fall on behalf of women who allege they underwent the procedure involuntarily.

The defendants maintain that abortion is a legitimate form of medical care, not an infringement on parental rights. They argue that Minnesota’s consent laws, health care provider oversight and legal protocols ensure sufficient due process before any medical procedure is performed.

Furthermore, the defendants contend that the plaintiffs do not have a valid case based on their claims. They asked the court to dismiss the case entirely.

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Erica Zurek

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A federal judge Friday heard a motion to dismiss a suit brought last year by a group of plaintiffs arguing that Minnesota laws protecting access to abortion are unconstitutional.

Judge hears motion to dismiss suit challenging Minnesota abortion law

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