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By Annie Rose Ramos and Corky Siemaszko
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Phones start ringing at the clinic shortly after the governor of Alabama signed a bill banning virtually all abortions in the state, including in cases of rape and incest.
The desperate women who phoned the POWER House, which houses Montgomery's only abortion clinic, all wanted to know the same thing.
"They ask: can we still come in? Are you still open? '"Said volunteer Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow. "They are panicked and they are scared. And we say that's good, you can always come in because they do not realize it will stay open for the next six months. "
If not longer. The law is expected to come into force in six months, but legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood mean that years could pass before the application of the law. Alabama's controversial law, have announced experts.
"They are always terrified," said Margot Heartline, who is also a volunteer at POWER (Popular Organizations for Women's Empowerment and Rights). They fear "to be thrown in jail if they go to a clinic".
Ms. Cameron-Schwiesow said the message she wanted to convey was that women who needed abortion always had a safe place to go, just like the doctors who served them.
"We are here for the patients, to protect them," she said. "We try to cover them as much as possible. We are here to comfort and make sure that they feel safe. We are also here for doctors to ensure their safety as well. "
The Yellowhammer Fund, an organization that helps women seeking abortion to visit one of the three remaining clinics in Alabama, also announced the signing of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on the controversial bill. did not terminate the proceedings in that State.
"YOU CAN ALWAYS GET AN ABORTION IN ALABAMA!", Tweeted the group.
Amanda Reyes, president and executive director of the group, said she spent part of the day re-recording the message from her answering machine to reassure the callers that they were still in business.
"This panic started when this bill was introduced for the first time, in fact," said Reyes. "At least one day a week, the phones sounded like trouble, so today, I went in and changed the message to say that abortion is still legal in Alabama for all six. next few months. "
Reyes, whose organization has helped fund more than 300 abortions last year and 90 so far this year, said that if legislators thought that signing this law would prevent donations, they were wrong. She said that they had witnessed a wave of support since Ivey had signed the bill.
Alabama lawmakers passed the bill after rejecting an amendment that would have provided exemptions for cases of rape or incest.
House representative Terri Collins told NBC News Tuesday that lawmakers wanted to streamline the wording to fit specifically the wording of the Roe v. Wade, and hope to return to the question of whether a fetus in the womb can be considered a threat. the person.
Montgomery is the capital of one of the most conservative states in the country. And in the street, some women interviewed by NBC News said they were not upset by the fact that the exceptions for rape or incest were not included in the law Project.
"I am very pleased that this bill has been passed," said Lori Colley. "He recognizes that there is a person in the womb and this bill protects the child's personality. I think it was important not to allow incest or rape as an exception because we know that it is a child. "
Brianca Jones said that she largely approved the bill, but thought abortion in case of rape or incest should be allowed.
"Many people make bad choices or it may not be the right time, but I do not think you should give up a gift like a baby," she said. "I would not have an abortion unless it is incest or rape."
Kathy Vincent, however, is said to be firmly opposed to this law.
"I am horrified that this is happening and I am concerned about its impact on the state of Alabama's image," said Kathy Vincent. "It was a blatant attempt to convince the Supreme Court to overthrow Roe V. Wade, which would be a travesty of the country."
"In their hearts, many women know that this is a very bad step backwards for women's rights," she added.
Vincent's husband, Paul, said the legal battle around this law was going to cost a pack in Alabama.
"We will violate the constitution and taxpayers will eventually pay for it," he said.
Ramos reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Siemaszko has been reported in New York.
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