AUSTIN: Thousands marched in an anti-abortion rally in Texas, demanding providers of the procedure “stay away” from the conservative US state.

“Pro-life” activists gathered outside the state Capi­tol in Austin, carrying signs with slogans reading “Abor­tion hurts women” and “Pray to end abortion.” The topic is a constant hot-button issue in American politics — and even more so in an election year.

A 2022 Supreme Court decision ending the federal right to the procedure was a huge win for the anti-abortion movement, though Democrats have been able to strongly campaign in support of abortion access since.

Many states have tightened their laws in response to the ruling, but the anti-abortion movement has suffered setbacks when the issue has been put on the ballot for Americans to vote on directly, even in conservative locales. “We tell the killers of the baby: stay out of our free state of Texas”.Since 2022, 21 US states have restricted or banned abortion. In Texas, a state “trigger” ban went into immediate effect after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, prohibiting abortions even in cases of rape or incest.

Democratic President Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris have rallied around abortion rights ahead of this year’s presidential election, warning of further restrictions under a Republican administration.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, meanwhile, has reminded voters that he appointed three of the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.

“We are doing everything we can here at the rally and back in our hometowns to support women who are experiencing unp­lanned pregnancies,” Cla­ire Culwell, a board member of the Texas Alliance for Life, said.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2024