Texas governor signs strict abortion law that sparked protests AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Governor Rick Perry on Thursday signed into law tough new restrictions on abortion, including a ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy, marking one of the biggest victories in a decade for opponents of the procedure in the United States. Perry, a Republican, signed the measure flanked by invited political supporters and anti-abortion activists, who gave him a standing ovation as he entered the room. "It is a very happy and celebratory day," said Perry, who thanked anti-abortion activists for helping to "support the health of Texas women." Outside, about two dozen protesters dressed in black shouted "Shame," and "The blood of Texas women is on your hands!" Republican lawmaker Jodie Laubenberg, who sponsored the bill, said "the hand of God" allowed her and others to overcome fierce opposition and pass the measure in the Texas legislature. Cherie Weaver, wearing a black dress to protest the law, said democracy had failed Texas women. "The separation of church and state has been completely undermined in this fight," she said, referring to the U.S. tradition of keeping government and religion at arms length. The Roman Catholic church officially opposes abortion as do many conservative Protestants. "When Governor Perry signed the bill, he signaled a clear break with Texas families," Davis said in a statement, adding that Perry was siding with "special interests" over women's health. Supporters of abortion rights have vowed to immediately challenge the new law in court. "We believe parts of this law are unconstitutional and are working to stop it from taking effect," Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a post on twitter. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider. Several other conservative states have approved piecemeal abortion restrictions, but Texas is by far the most populous and politically important, and it took more dramatic action by combining several measures into one bill. Texas joins 12 other states which have passed bans on abortion after 20 weeks, citing disputed research that a fetus feels pain by that stage. Supporters of the Texas law say technology for treating premature babies has resulted in survival at earlier stages of gestation. Some legal challenges of other state laws have been successful. A federal judge on Wednesday extended for two more weeks a hold on a Wisconsin provision requiring doctors performing an abortion have admitting privileges at a hospital, while the judge studies whether to block the law. In 2006 it narrowly endorsed, 5 to 4, the U.S. Congressional ban on "partial birth" abortions. Reporting by Karen Brooks; writing by Greg McCune; editing by Andrew Hay