Abortion Rights Activists Hold Rallies In Boston, Brookline To Protest Stricter State Laws
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – Demonstrations were held in Boston, Brookline and several other cities across the nation Tuesday to protest strict new abortion laws passed recently in some states.
The 'National Day of Action to Stop the Bans' was aimed at the new laws in Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and other states that restrict access to abortion. The law in Alabama bans abortion even in cases of rape and incest, essentially making terminating a pregnancy illegal.
"You are not taking my rights away. My daughter was a rape survivor and I am never going to sit down," said protester Bambi Snodgrass.
Michelle Baxter left work to take part in the rally during her lunch break. "I'm fearful that the Roe v. Wade will be overturned and that will be disastrous," Baxter said
About 350 people came out for the rally in front of the State House in Boston Tuesday afternoon.
"The Trump administration made a concerted effort to make sure they're putting judges on the federal court that are willing to overturn Roe v. Wade and my long term fear is that that's going to happen," said protester Kim Derrico.
Supporters of the abortion laws say they're fighting the Roe v. Wade protections of early-term abortion rights.
"There's a lot we can do. There is a bill at State House right now called the Roe Act. And it gets rid of the parental consent for abortion access," said Andrea, a Planned Parenthood volunteer.
Lone counter-protester Doug Hayman of Lawrence stood his ground. "We should be pro-life and defend those who can't defend themselves," Hayman said.
Dr. David Franks is with the Mass Citizens For Life. "What is more important for democracy is that we come to understand together that every human life has equal dignity," Dr. Franks said.
While he's opposed to abortion, he doesn't think the law passed in Alabama and other states that bans abortion even in cases of rape and incest is the right path to take. "I don't think we have the set up on the Supreme Court to actually get a hearing for these kinds of laws and in fact those kinds of laws put pressure here in this state to give a momentum for the Roe Act," Dr. Franks said.
Massachusetts recently passed laws with bipartisan support strengthening abortion rights.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)