TEMPE, AZ — Planned Parenthood says it has resumed abortion procedures at its clinics in Arizona.
"As of today, we are now booking appointments for abortion services throughout the state of Arizona," Planned Parenthood Arizona President and CEO Brittany Fonteno said during a press conference at Planned Parenthood Arizona Tempe Health Center Thursday morning.
Planned Parenthood had just one location, in Tucson, that was providing services. The announcement restarts services at their Tempe, Glendale, and Flagstaff locations.
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"The past 120 days have been challenging," said Planned Parenthood Arizona Medical Director Dr. Jill Gibson.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Alexis McGill Johnson was also in attendance at the event.
Watch the press conference in the video player below:
Earlier this month, many abortion providers said they were resuming services in Arizona. This came just days after an emergency stay was granted temporarily blocking the enforcement of a nearly complete ban on abortions.
At the time, Planned Parenthood Arizona told ABC15 that they and their legal team were waiting to see if Attorney General Mark Brnovich would ask the Supreme Court to take up the stay.
With the pre-Roe law on hold again, Arizona does have another law passed just this year on the books. That law only bans abortions after 15 weeks.
On Thursday, Planned Parenthood officials said they have received the legal assurance to restart their services.
"Abortion is temporarily legal in Arizona. This does not mean the fight is over. This means we are continuing to fight every day," Fonteno said. "We won't stop fighting for our patients."
“We’re essentially going to get a whiplash here with the court cases and the injunctions,” said co-Leader of 40 Days for Life Phoenix Ellen Sweeney.
On Thursday at Planned Parenthood and other clinics in the Valley, ABC15 saw pro-life groups gathered.
“It’s important that we are our here to pray, and to witness, and to offer people hope who are often in situations that are desperate,” said Mike Phelan with Diocese of Phoenix.
“I’m a retired social worker so I’m here to offer help to people,” said Sweeney. “There is help that many women don’t know.”
Giving out pamphlets and information on resources. The group said they are hopeful abortions will once again be halted in Arizona.
“We look forward to the Pre-Row statute being upheld,” said Phelan.
This week Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office came to an agreement with the parties in another lawsuit out of Maricopa County.
That agreement put a stay on the case and put in writing that the territorial era law will not be enforced as Planned Parenthood’s case moves through the court of appeals.
“It definitely provided additional reassurance to providers, “ said President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona Brittany Fonteno. “As I mentioned, we have really been living in real environment of fear of criminalization. But it’s really the case that we have been fighting in court and the stay that was issued two weeks ago that gave us that assurance to resume abortion care.
There is still a law passed earlier this year that bans abortions after 15 weeks.
AG Brnovich’s office said they hoped this would provide clarity.
Planned Parenthood called it a political move and wanted to emphasize that this is temporary.
In regards to today’s announcement, the AG’s office provided ABC15 this with this statement.
“Our case involves ongoing litigation relating to A.R.S. 13-3603, which has been stayed by the Court of Appeals. Our office has agreed to abide by that decision as it's litigated up the Arizona Supreme Court. As we've previously said, you should contact the respective county attorneys who have primary jurisdiction over these abortion laws.”