Hundreds of people protest against the abortion law at Alabama Capitol

Hundreds of people chanted, carried placards and cheered on speakers at a state capitol protest against Alabama's new law banning abortion.

Megan Skipper, of Montgomery, one of the organizers, said she was overwhelmed by the turnout at the event, originally announced on Facebook a few days ago.

"We never expected it to be that big," Skipper said. "But I think this size shows us that people are crazy. And we are the majority. And that abortion rights are human rights and that's what we want for the state of Alabama. "

Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill last week to allow a doctor to perform an abortion in Alabama. The law will not come into effect until six months, so abortion remains legal in Alabama for the time being. Proponents of this legislation expect it to be blocked by the federal courts and declare that their purpose is to appeal the US Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade on the right to abortion.

Today, the crowd opposed to the law applauded speakers from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Planned Parenthood, the Yellowhammer Fund and other organizations denouncing the law. Other speakers described their own experiences of abortion, including one who stated that she was a rape victim.

Other states are also enacting restrictive abortion legislation that should be blocked by the courts, including laws banning abortion after detecting a heartbeat. fetal heart, about six weeks after the beginning of pregnancy. Alabama's new law is the most restrictive, prohibiting abortion at any time during pregnancy, except to protect the woman against a serious health risk. There is no exception for victims of rape and incest.

At today's rally, Brynleigh Davis of Prattville, 20, was wearing a sign saying, "Pay attention to your uterus".

Davis said that she came to the rally in part to represent friends who feel the same as her, but are afraid to express themselves. She said it was not difficult for her to say what she thought.

"I'm angry, I'm angry and I'm here for the long term," said Davis, who will be junior at the AUM this fall. "I am here to see that this has just been removed."

Proponents of the law say that their goal is to protect human life and that the development of the fetus knows much more than when the Roe v. Wade had been decided 46 years ago. They noted that Alabama voters had approved Amendment 2 last year, saying that the state recognized the rights of unborn children, including the right to life, and that the law of Alabama recognized unborn children as victims in homicide cases.

Davis, asked what she would say to those who considered abortion as the death of a human life, said, "I would tell them that it is acceptable to have their own opinion, but that's not what I believe and I do not think that they should tell anyone what he should do with his body. "

Anna Belle, 20, of Prattville, also said that she was angry at the new law.

"It's not something that should have happened," said May. "We should not have to protest about this, the separation of church and state has occurred for a reason, and we will take the church to the legislature."

May said Sunday's rally was her first participation in a political protest. But she said that she was voting and had voted against Amendment 2 last year.

Travis Jackson of Montgomery, who volunteers with the women who receive services at the Montgomery Abortion Clinic, described the turnout at Sunday's gathering as "magnificent."

"If it was just the attention of the state, you would not have as many people here as you see right now," Jackson said. "But as it catches America's attention, it's a wonderful thing. It makes everyone aware of what is really happening in the state of Alabama.

"Where there are more people, there will be more power."

Captain Regina Duckett of the Montgomery Police Department said the organizers were expecting about 500 people and felt the crowd was close to it.

Duckett said the event was held calmly, without any arrests. She said that there was a counter-demonstration with a handful of participants but no incidents occurred.

Speakers at the demonstration urged the protesters to remain engaged on the issue and to the voting booth.

"I think it's going to ask people to engage in this fight and make sure they engage with their elected officials but also to be compassionate and give to grassroots organizations like Yellowhammer Fund to help women to have access to abortion.

"This will take a particular resolution and ensure that people are aware of electoral politics and that they remain involved in voting and contact their lawmakers.