As states, including Florida, weigh laws similar to a Texas-style abortion ban with bounties, thousands took to the streets Saturday to protest for a woman’s right to choose. NBC 6’s Kim Wynne is in Fort Lauderdale at one of those rallies.
Hundreds of demonstrators made their voices heard in a march for reproductive freedom in Fort Lauderdale Saturday.
The march, along with one held in Miami, were two of more than 600 demonstrations for reproductive rights happening across the country.
The protest comes about a week after a controversial new bill was filed in the Florida state legislature.
HB 167 would make it illegal for a doctor to perform an abortion if there’s a detectable heartbeat.
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“We just want to warn the Florida legislature that this can’t happen here,” said organizer, Jasmen Rogers.
“We’re hoping that the Supreme Court will uphold Roe v Wade. And we’re hoping that the Florida legislature is not dumb enough to pass something like this that would endanger so many lives,” Rogers said.
The 40-page bill would require doctors to test for fetal heartbeats which can happen six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregant.
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The bill closely mirrors the controversial Texas Heartbeat Law.
“What they’re doing is dangerous, and it will kill people,” Rogers said.
“If this passes, it will make abortions dangerous for people who so badly need it,” said organizer Emma Collum.
Protestors sent a strong message to lawmakers who support the bill.
“You see all these people here?” said Shabnam Alibhai. “Think about those votes. You are not getting them.”
If the bill becomes law, it would go into effect next summer.
Organizers planned the The Women’s March in Washington, D.C., and marches across the country Saturday as a way to send a message to the U.S. Supreme Court which is set to reconvene on Monday.
The justices will hear arguments Dec. 1 in Mississippi's bid to enforce a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
