Thousands of women marched on the Supreme Court, the Texas Capitol, and cities throughout the country on Saturday to protest increased state limits on abortion and urge to preserve a constitutional right to the operation.
A Texas statute prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy spurred the 660 demonstrations around the United States. The law, which went into force last month, is the toughest in the country.
"No matter where you live, no matter where you are, this moment is dark," Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson addressed the gathering at the "Rally for Abortion Justice" in Washington.
Hundreds of people gathered in Austin, Texas' capital, to protest Governor Greg Abbott's so-called "heartbeat" law. It prohibits abortion if cardiac activity in the embryo is recognized, usually occurring at roughly six weeks.
Experts estimate that 85 percent to 90 percent of all abortions are performed before most women are aware they are pregnant.
Ordinary citizens are tasked with enforcing the ban, which includes no exceptions for rape or incest. They are rewarded with at least $10,000 if they successfully sue anyone who assisted in providing an illegal abortion.
Some demonstrators predicted that the bill would backfire on lawmakers. Andrea Roberts, 49, an Austin preschool director, believes that "I think more people believe in the issue of providing safe abortions than our legislature realizes,"
Several demonstrators' placards and T-shirts said "Abort Abbott," while others had the Texas state slogan "Come and Take It" next to a depiction of a uterus.
Two days before the Supreme Court reconvenes for a session in which the justices will examine a Mississippi case that could allow them to overturn abortion rights established in the famous 1973 Roe v. Wade case, Washington protesters marched to the court.
If the Supreme Court overturns the rule, states will be free to ban, regulate, or allow abortion without limitations.
The justices previously refused a plea by abortion and women's health providers to prevent execution of the Texas legislature in a 5-4 decision on September 1.
