Jason Delgado
Democratic lawmakers demonstrated alongside activists Tuesday, vowing to fight Texas-style abortion restrictions ahead of the 2022 Legislative Session.
Atop the steps of the Historic Capitol Building, dozens chanted and waved signs. They blasted the Republican-controlled Legislature, decrying the previous Session as the birthplace of “racist, homophobic, sexist and misogynistic” legislation.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried left a Cabinet meeting to attend the event, a move that garnered applause among demonstrators. She warned similar legislation is on the horizon.
“We will not let the White men of this building tell us what to do with our bodies,” said Fried, a Democratic gubernatorial contender.
The new Texas abortion law is among the most restrictive in the nation. It bans the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually at about six weeks of gestation, and provides no exception for rape or incest. It also allows a person to sue someone they suspect of aiding another to obtain an abortion.
Democratic Sen. Annette Taddeo coined the law “The Rapist Bill of Rights.” She blasted Republicans and encouraged attendees to organize in defense of state abortion rights.
Abortion rights, she warned, are under threat.
“They relish the opportunity to take away our rights to make our own health care choices,” Taddeo said of GOP lawmakers. “The only thing Republicans in Tallahassee fear is not being in power.”
Despite vocal support from Senate President Wilton Simpson, Gov. Ron DeSantis last month appeared less enthused to push similar legislation in Florida.
Speaking to reporters, he noted legal hurdles.
“We’ll see what happens,” DeSantis said before touting a devotion to “pro-life” principles.
Roughly a dozen or so Democratic lawmakers attended the outdoor event and rallied alongside demonstrators associated with Planned Parenthood, Florida Rising and Dignity Power.
Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani warned the legislation would further threaten the state’s economic health. Abortion restrictions, she suggested, may direct businesses and workers outside the state.
“If you don’t care about my body, at least care about my damn checkbook,” Eskamani said.
Tuesday’s demonstration is among the many taking place across the country.
In the weeks since the law was passed, abortion rights activists have demonstrated on social media and even outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Opponents fear the law is a model for other Republican-controlled states. Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner warned abortion restrictions disproportionately harm minority women.
Calling out names, she put DeSantis, Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls “on notice.”
“You will not be able to do this without a fight,” Rayner said.
The 2022 Legislative Session begins Jan. 11.
9 comments
Ron Ogden
September 21, 2021 at 3:46 pm
That’s the difference, you see. The Demi ladies of the legislature proclaim they will fight back. Too bad the babies in the womb don’t have the same right. They just die silently, as the victims of murderous oppression always die.
Alex
September 21, 2021 at 3:55 pm
No, the difference is you want to force women to have a baby they don’t want in their body, but you refuse to get a vaccine in your body because it’s your right.
Ron Ogden
September 21, 2021 at 4:41 pm
No one is forcing women to get pregnant. I will fight forever for a woman’s right not to get pregnant. But it’s not really about that, is it? It’s about her solving the problem of her pregnancy after the fact, solving it any way she can. For many women, the solution is to kill their way out of a jam. “But it’s not alive,” they scream. Okay, so leave it there. Why not? What are you worried about? Save your money. “But it’s not a human being,” they shout. What is it, a kitten? You wouldn’t do to a kitten what you are willing to do to a child. And when does it BECOME a human being? “When I say so!” she answers. And there it is. She gets to decide when a human being exists and when it doesn’t, the fulsome power of all the hate-filled weaklings who have stalked the earth for all time.
Alex
September 21, 2021 at 4:58 pm
You knew you could get covid when you went to church, bring it home, and infect your family – killing Grandma as a result.
Still waiting for you to explain how you have a right to refuse to have something you don’t want in your body, but a woman doesn’t.
Tick tock…
.
Lorraine
September 22, 2021 at 10:01 am
Thank you – a male that believes a woman should have equal rights in this state & in this country & not be under the thumb of white men in Florida !
Alex
September 21, 2021 at 8:07 pm
That’s what I thought.
As I said below, how do you guys get EVERYTHING FUCKING WRONG?
Lorraine
September 22, 2021 at 10:08 am
A white old male for sure – but hey- this is the South – where men try to tell woman how to live their lives
If you have women in your family I feel for them with a big boss in charge
Oh – wait – bet someone at home rules the roost & this is your way of flexing your muscles – (?)
It is all about a man’s need to control – bug off not interested in your opinion
Why not come up with a plan to feed and cloth all these babies you & your friends want born in this state
Alex
September 21, 2021 at 3:46 pm
Republicans opened a can of whoop ass – on themselves.
How do they get everything fucking wrong?
Ray Eubanks
September 24, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Hey Alex and Lorraine, The great Alice Cooper has it right all along DEAD BABIES can not be heard. Thanks for looking out for those who can not look at for themselves.
Comments are closed.