Judge blocks release of recordings by anti-abortion group

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has blocked the release of any recordings made at meetings of abortion providers by an anti-abortion group that previously revealed secretly recorded videos of a Planned Parenthood leader.

Judge William Orrick in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order Friday against the Center for Medical Progress hours after the order was requested by the National Abortion Federation.

The federation says the Center for Medical Progress infiltrated its meetings and recorded its members. The group says release of any audio or video would put providers in danger.

In his three-page order, Orrick said the federation would likely suffer irreparable injury absent a temporary restraining order.

The Center for Medical Progress has previously released videos showing Planned Parenthood leaders discussing the use of aborted fetuses for research.