Politics & Government

Scenes from the abortion-rights rallies across the US

August Mulvihill, of Norwalk, Iowa, center, holds a sign during a rally to protest recent abortion bans on May 21, 2019, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa.
August Mulvihill, of Norwalk, Iowa, center, holds a sign during a rally to protest recent abortion bans on May 21, 2019, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa.
Image: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
By
Johnny Simon
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Abortion-rights supporters across the US demonstrated today against a series of severely restrictive laws recently passed by state legislatures.

“Stop the Bans” rallies, organized by groups like Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, brought protestors to state houses to rally against laws like those enacted in Alabama, Ohio and Georgia in recent weeks. Several states and others have passed bills outlawing abortion after a fetus reaches six weeks, which can be before women even know they are pregnant. Alabama’s law outlaws abortion entirely, with no exception for rape or incest. Doctors who preform the procedure could be sentenced to as much as 99 years in prison. Donald Trump and many prominent Republicans have opposed the law.

At the steps of the US Supreme Court in Washington DC, several Democratic presidential candidates, including Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, and Pete Buttigieg, spoke to demonstrators. Demonstrators made their voices heard in public spaces and near the steps of statehouses in states, like Louisiana, that are currently debating new restrictions.

Here are scenes from around the US:

Pro-choice protesters gather at the Supreme Court in Washington on May 21.
Pro-choice protesters gather at the Supreme Court in Washington on May 21.
Image: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Kristin Mink of Silver Spring, Maryland, who has a drawing of a wire hanger shaved into her hair, at the protest outside the Supreme Court on May 21, 2019.
Kristin Mink of Silver Spring, Maryland, who has a drawing of a wire hanger shaved into her hair, at the protest outside the Supreme Court on May 21, 2019.
Image: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Democratic presidential candidate  Kirsten Gillibrand addresses demonstrators outside the Supreme Court in Washington.
Democratic presidential candidate  Kirsten Gillibrand addresses demonstrators outside the Supreme Court in Washington.
Image: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images
Women’s-rights advocates demonstrate in Philadelphia.
Women’s-rights advocates demonstrate in Philadelphia.
Image: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Demonstrators protest new abortion restrictions, in New York on May 21.
Demonstrators protest new abortion restrictions, in New York on May 21.
Image: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Karina Provost leads a chant during a rally in support of abortion rights in Las Vegas.
Karina Provost leads a chant during a rally in support of abortion rights in Las Vegas.
Image: AP Photo/John Locher
Julia Sands, center, cheers at a rally in support of abortion rights in Las Vegas.
Julia Sands, center, cheers at a rally in support of abortion rights in Las Vegas.
Pprotesters at the Louisiana Capitol, where lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban abortion as early as six weeks, in Baton Rouge.
Pprotesters at the Louisiana Capitol, where lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban abortion as early as six weeks, in Baton Rouge.
Image: AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte)
August Mulvihill, of Norwalk, Iowa, holds a sign during a rally at the statehouse in Des Moines.
August Mulvihill, of Norwalk, Iowa, holds a sign during a rally at the statehouse in Des Moines.
Image: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Planned Parenthood executive director for Iowa Erin Davison-Rippey speaks at the statehouse in Des Moines.
Planned Parenthood executive director for Iowa Erin Davison-Rippey speaks at the statehouse in Des Moines.
Image: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Pro-choice supporters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pro-choice supporters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Image: Reuters/Aluka Berry
Protestors in Atlanta.
Protestors in Atlanta.
Image: Reuters/Aluka Berry
Activists in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
Activists in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
Image: Reuters/Karen Pulfer Focht
A pro-choice activist Dan Case protests in downtown Memphis.
A pro-choice activist Dan Case protests in downtown Memphis.
Image: Reuters/Karen Pulfer Focht
Protesters march in St. Louis, Missouri.
Protesters march in St. Louis, Missouri.
Image: Reuters/Lawrence Bryant
Protesters at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas.
Protesters at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas.
Image: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Supporters of abortion-rights rally in the statehouse rotunda on May 21 at the Nebraska Capitol in Lincoln.
Supporters of abortion-rights rally in the statehouse rotunda on May 21 at the Nebraska Capitol in Lincoln.
Image: AP Photo/Grant Schulte