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Texas abortion battle resumes amid mass protest | Texas abortion battle resumes amid mass protest |
(35 minutes later) | |
The state legislature in Texas has held a second special session to revive a controversial bill banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. | The state legislature in Texas has held a second special session to revive a controversial bill banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. |
The session was called by Republican Governor Rick Perry after a Democratic senator used a delaying tactic called a filibuster to block a vote last week. | The session was called by Republican Governor Rick Perry after a Democratic senator used a delaying tactic called a filibuster to block a vote last week. |
Supporters say the strict law would protect women's health and the foetus. | Supporters say the strict law would protect women's health and the foetus. |
Critics say the measure would effectively force most abortion clinics to close. | Critics say the measure would effectively force most abortion clinics to close. |
'Turning point in history' | 'Turning point in history' |
More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered outside the Texas Capitol in Austin on Monday, mostly to oppose the proposed legislation. | |
Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis told the crowds their raucous support last Tuesday helped her to pull off the filibuster, which lasted for about 12 hours. | |
"You were at the crux of a turning point in Texas history," Sen Davis told them. | "You were at the crux of a turning point in Texas history," Sen Davis told them. |
But Texas Republicans have vowed to pass the bill before the summer recess begins. | But Texas Republicans have vowed to pass the bill before the summer recess begins. |
"The world has seen images of pro-abortion activists screaming, cheering," Gov Perry said. "Going forward, we have to match their intensity but do it with grace and civility." | "The world has seen images of pro-abortion activists screaming, cheering," Gov Perry said. "Going forward, we have to match their intensity but do it with grace and civility." |
Among the demonstrators who turned out on Monday were those who favour the legislation. They prayed outside the Senate. | Among the demonstrators who turned out on Monday were those who favour the legislation. They prayed outside the Senate. |
The proposed bill would ban abortions in Texas after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and require that only ambulatory surgical centres can carry out the procedure. | The proposed bill would ban abortions in Texas after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and require that only ambulatory surgical centres can carry out the procedure. |
It would also only allow abortions to be performed by doctors with admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. | It would also only allow abortions to be performed by doctors with admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. |
Only five of the 42 clinics in the state meet those requirements. | Only five of the 42 clinics in the state meet those requirements. |
On Monday, the legislative session lasted for less than an hour - just long enough to refer the bill to a committee. | On Monday, the legislative session lasted for less than an hour - just long enough to refer the bill to a committee. |
After that, public hearings on the measure must be held before it can come to the floor of each chamber for consideration. | After that, public hearings on the measure must be held before it can come to the floor of each chamber for consideration. |
Republican lawmakers have indicated they will try to move the bill along quickly, so it can be passed before the end of the 30-day special session. | Republican lawmakers have indicated they will try to move the bill along quickly, so it can be passed before the end of the 30-day special session. |
Last week's filibuster drew nationwide attention and made Sen Davis a heroine of the US abortion rights movement. | |
The US Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in 1973, but about a dozen conservative states have enacted laws in recent years that seek to limit the procedure. | The US Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in 1973, but about a dozen conservative states have enacted laws in recent years that seek to limit the procedure. |