News

Massachusetts women rally for abortion rights as other states OK bans

BOSTON — The 'Stop Abortion Bans Day of Action' saw protests across the country, but nearly two dozen communities across Massachusetts held rallies advocating for abortion rights throughout the day Tuesday.

"I think it speaks to how strongly that men and women feel about this issue that we have to keep abortion safe and legal," Hara Klein told Boston 25 News outside the statehouse.

The planned rallies were in response to restrictive abortion bans passed in other states like Georgia and Alabama.

"It’s very, very important that women around the world unite together," Doreen Nicastro said.

Ohio and Georgia banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy unless there's a medical emergency. Alabama passed an outright ban that included pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The only exception in Alabama would be if the woman’s life is in danger.

"We believe that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and that the states should, in fact, deal with this on a state by state basis," Dr. David Franks, with a local anti-abortion group, said. "Here in Massachusetts, we have to make an argument for the dignity of every human life."

Franks says while he sees the efforts to overturn the historic decision that expanded abortion access as a positive, he's not sure how effective they'll be.

"Women are human beings. We deserve all civil rights," Angela Markle said outside the statehouse.

Protesters say they're showing there's passion on the other side of this issue as well.

"They are ready to get involved and they are ready to fight back," Kate Froehlich said.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and other civil rights groups organized the rallies, which they say happened in nearly all 50 states.