On Tuesday, people across the nation protested the surge of strict abortion bans that are being passed in various conservative states. Under the hashtag “#StopTheBans“, advocates and supporters of reproductive freedom gathered in front of the US Supreme Court and in every state to speak out against this blatant attack on women, families, and doctors. Outrage for these bans grew exponentially on May 14th when Alabama passed the most extreme abortion ban in America’s history. In six months, doctors who perform an abortion may face up to 99 years in prison and there are no exceptions for rape or incest cases. This is a cruel ban, not just for its restriction on reproduction rights.
All images by Lorie Shaull on Flickr
There were many insightful and powerful Twitter posts from the #StopTheBans protests that are worth viewing. Some focused on women who had abortions. Others featured prominent leaders who spoke defiantly against these abortion bans. See some of the most moving tweets below.
“Roe v. Wade saved my life.” Susan, age 70, just came up to me sobbing at the #StopTheBans action in front of the Supreme Court. Please LISTEN to her and Retweet to share her story! pic.twitter.com/bYKgPGxZWD
— Sara Pearl (@skenigsberg) May 21, 2019
New York comes out against attempts to overturn Roe v Wade! #StopTheBans now at @middlechurch pic.twitter.com/7OlvkFC1KU
— Gili Getz 🔥 (@giligetz) May 21, 2019
We deserve basic human rights. We deserve autonomy. We deserve to make decisions about our own lives and families. That's what this fight is about, and we'll never back down from it. #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/JWpDDAqU7L
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 21, 2019
8 weeks pregnant, 3 weeks old. She’s gonna know I fought for her.#StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/YOxEGfqp88
— Kristin Mink (@KristinMinkDC) May 22, 2019
They say they must control our bodies because they cherish life — BUT they shred Medicaid, oppose the Affordable Care Act, and deny prenatal care, pregnancy counseling, and home visits by nurses for patients with high risk pregnancies. #StopTheBans #RepublicansDontCare
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) May 19, 2019
The places that attack women's reproductive rights are the same places where it's hard to get a living wage, and the same places where you're seeing voter suppression that seems to be directed at communities of color. All of these things are connected. #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/nfh16XbMtK
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 21, 2019
.@RepLawrence: “Have you heard a single discussion in the legislature about Viagra? About vasectomy? No. This is not about improving reproductive health. This is about men trying to have control over women.” #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/y4K6C81Saf
— NARAL (@NARAL) May 21, 2019
RBG said it best: The right to choose is essential to women's equality. We won't go back. #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/pzpxunEpUv
— American Constitution Society (@acslaw) May 21, 2019
ABORTION 👏🏽 IS 👏🏾 STILL 👏🏼 LEGAL in Alabama, Georgia, & every other state in the US. These bans will be challenged in court, and we hope they never take effect. It's going to be an uphill battle, and abortion care providers need you. #AbortionSolidarity #StoptheBans
— NAPAWF (@NAPAWF) May 21, 2019
Louder for the anti-choice politicians in the back!!! 👏👏👏
Thank you for fighting alongside us, @RepPressley! #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/wTWde9anDu
— NARAL (@NARAL) May 24, 2019
All images by Lorie Shaull on Flickr.