Abortion rights advocates are gathered on the steps of the State Capitol, calling on state, federal and executive lawmakers to reinstate the right to an abortion. But counter-protesters who oppose abortion rights are also attempting to walk among the large crowd while holding graphic signs of fetuses.
Around 200 people attended the rally in Jackson, and organizers say they represent the majority of Americans who support the right to an abortion.
Among the crowd of abortion rights advocates is Erica Chin of Brandon. She had an abortion several years ago, and says without that opportunity her life would have been much more difficult.
“The lifestyle I was living was not healthy. I was on drugs, and birth control never worked for me,” says Chin. “That was my only choice. And if I didn’t have it, I would have never gotten sober. I would have never gotten the chance to fully be the person I am now, which is a healthier, better person. And I see myself going down a darker path if I had a child.”
Also in attendance is Sebastian Murdoch of Jackson. They say losing the right to an abortion is endangering the lives of many Mississippians, and have several concerns they want addressed.
Murdoch says “We want free and accessible abortions on demand, we want the Hyde amendment repealed. We want the filibuster removed, we want the court expanded, and we want an impeachment for the Supreme Court Justices who perjured themselves to get where they are now.”
Activists are also calling on President Joe Biden to issue an emergency order to re-instate the right to an abortion, and are hoping to unseat lawmakers who have not defended abortion access.
