Thousands of abortion rights supporters packed the Texas capitol lawn Monday to fight Republican-sponsored legislation returning to the House floor, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
State Sen. Wendy Davis (D), who successfully led a filibuster of the bill last week addressed the crowd of orange-shirted protesters chanting her name. The filibuster prompted Gov. Rick Perry (R) to call a second special legislative session to bring the proposal back up for debate.
“You all have given me and so many others a renewed sense of strength,” Davis said, as quoted by the American-Statesman. “It was your strength and support that made it possible for me to stand for 13 hours.”
Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards were also on hand to rally supporters.
Huge crowd massing outside Texas Capitol to protest special session on abortion. #standwithTXwomen #TXlege pic.twitter.com/CPfbeRvfaI
— ACLU Action (@ACLU_Action) July 1, 2013