Anti-abortion group defends N.C. law

A national anti-abortion group has asked to intervene in a lawsuit over a new North Carolina law requiring women seeking abortions to have ultrasounds. Jubilee Campaign Law of Life Project, based in Washington, filed a motion Tuesday asking U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles for permission to appear at a hearing next month, The Raleigh News and Observer reported. The group says it represents three doctors in North Carolina and four women who have had abortions who say they were harmed by not having ultrasounds or having them inadequately explained. The project wants to get involved "on behalf of the entire pro-life community in North Carolina and all ill-informed 'victims' of abortion," Sam Casey, its general counsel, said. Eagles, who sits in Greensboro, temporarily blocked North Carolina last month from enforcing the ultrasound provision in the A Woman's Right to Know Act. The law is being challenged by two North Carolina chapters of Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and abortion providers.