( CNN ) -- They are here practically every day . Anti-abortion protesters set up their signs outside the Jackson Women 's Health Organization and regularly preach their beliefs to anyone who will listen . They pray the clinic will close . Their prayers may soon be answered . Clinic owners are in a fight to save the only abortion clinic operating in the state of Mississippi . New state requirements may close their doors forever , making Mississippi the first abortion-free state . `` I want to say over my dead body , but I 'm afraid , '' said clinic owner and president Diane Derzis . `` We 're going to do whatever it takes to keep servicing the women of Mississippi , '' she said . A state law that takes effect Sunday requires all of a clinic 's abortion providers to be certified OB/GYN 's , and all of them must have privileges at a local hospital . July 1 brings new , sometimes quirky laws . `` I think the intent is to make sure that women who are receiving these abortions are receiving abortions by a professional physician who is certified , '' said state Rep. Sam Mims , who sponsored the legislation . `` If something goes wrong , which it might -- we hope it does n't , but it could -- that physician could follow the patient to a local hospital . That 's the intent . And what happens afterwards , we 'll have to see what happens , '' he told CNN . Mississippi has been one of the toughest states on the abortion rights movement . The state already has laws requiring a 24-hour waiting period , as well as parental consent if the patient seeking an abortion is a minor . `` All of that is wrapped in that cloak of conservative religion , '' said W. Martin Wiseman , director of the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University . `` You 'll find very few legislators , regardless of whether they are white , black , Democrat or Republican who will say , ' I 'm pro-abortion , ' '' Wiseman said . Gov . Phil Bryant signed the bill with the new requirements into law in April after the Republican-dominated legislature overwhelmingly passed it . `` It 's historic . Today you see the first step in a movement , I believe , to do what we campaigned on -- to say that we 're going to try to end abortion in Mississippi , '' Bryant said at the bill-signing event . Bryant signs bill tightening restrictions on abortion providers . The clinic says it is trying to comply . All of its doctors are OB/GYNs who travel in from other states . But only one can practice at a local hospital . The new law states that all doctors in a clinic must have hospital privileges . Officials at the Jackson clinic say they 're trying to gain privileges at Jackson-area hospitals but that the cumbersome process and red tape has forced them to file suit . They 've gone to federal court to try to get an injunction that would allow them to stay open while they fight the new law . The court has not yet ruled on their motion . The Mississippi Department of Health says it will inspect the clinic on Monday for compliance . If the clinic can not meet the new state law requirements , then it will have the right to appeal and begin an administrative process that could take several months . But , Derzis says , employees would be subject to arrest and fines of up to $ 2,000 a day if the clinic stays open . So , it would essentially be forced to close . `` It 's an absolute tragedy , '' Derzis said . `` No one wants to talk about abortion . No one wants to think about abortion until they 're there , '' she said . `` There are three reasons you have an abortion : Rape , incest and 'mine . ' I hear that all the time : 'You know , I do n't believe in abortion , but , now it 's my kid , ' '' she told CNN 's George Howell . Mississippi voters reject anti-abortion initiative . But the law 's sponsor says the law is about having the proper license to operate , and if that law closes the only abortion clinic in the state , then so be it . `` I 'm very pro-life , Mims said . `` I believe life begins at conception . And I think a lot of Mississippians do , as well . If this legislation causes less abortions , then that 's a good thing . '' Derzis believes that this was the real intent of the newly elected Republican majority -- to end abortion in the state , not to improve women 's health care . `` I love that it 's white , old men , making those statements , '' she said . `` We 've been able to be with women at a time in their lives where they are in crisis , when they need to have something done and need that support . That 's why it has to be available . It has to be , '' she said . `` This is not about safety . This is about politics . Politics do not need to be in our uterus . ''
State law that goes into effect Sunday could close Mississippi 's only abortion clinic . Law requires those who perform abortions to have privileges at a local hospital . Owner of state 's sole abortion clinic says law is meant to ban abortion . Sponsor of bill says purpose is to protect women 's health .