Abortion rights advocates sue to block pending Oklahoma laws

A coalition of abortion rights advocates, clinics and advocacy groups have filed a suit seeking to block recent anti-abortion legislation from taking effect.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in a state district court in Oklahoma City aims to block legislation due to take effect Nov. 1.

The pending restrictions on abortions include branding the performing of an abortion by a doctor as constituting ``unprofessional conduct'' that could jeopardize the doctor's medical license.

The new law also includes a ban on abortions where cardiac activity is detected in the embryo, which is similar to one that took effect Wednesday in Texas.