In photos: These are the people defending the right to choose in Alabama

Laws that restrict access to abortion do not prevent them from happening. They simply make it harder for poorer women to access safe procedures. "Both the World Health Organization and the United Nations have repeatedly demonstrated that criminalizing the termination of a pregnancy does not reduce the number of women undergoing these procedures. Unsafe abortions cause the deaths of some 47,000 women each year." They know it.

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"Alabama women resist" reads a sign in Julia Walker's room in Montgomery, Alabama. "The legislators of my state and governor Kay Ivey recently approved one of the worst abortion laws and that is why I want to highlight the hypocrisy of saying this is a pro-life state, ‘in favor of life’ when it has one of the worst infant mortality rates and has not even expanded Medicaid."

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"Alabama women resist" reads a sign in Julia Walker's room in Montgomery, Alabama. "The legislators of my state and governor Kay Ivey recently approved one of the worst abortion laws and that is why I want to highlight the hypocrisy of saying this is a pro-life state, ‘in favor of life’ when it has one of the worst infant mortality rates and has not even expanded Medicaid."

Ana María Rodríguez

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Travis Jackson is an escort at the Montgomery clinic. A veteran, he has been working as a volunteer for years, defending a woman’s right to choose. He says he has seen protesters "shout obscenities at women." “Little by little they have become more violent and now we are worried that patients will be followed when they go to their vehicles,” he says.

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Travis Jackson is an escort at the Montgomery clinic. A veteran, he has been working as a volunteer for years, defending a woman’s right to choose. He says he has seen protesters "shout obscenities at women." “Little by little they have become more violent and now we are worried that patients will be followed when they go to their vehicles,” he says.

Ana María Rodríguez

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The only clinic that performs abortions in Alabama’s capital, Reproductive Health Services. Two protesters say they drove more than three hours to get to the clinic.

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The only clinic that performs abortions in Alabama’s capital, Reproductive Health Services. Two protesters say they drove more than three hours to get to the clinic.

Ana María Rodríguez

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Mia Raven is the founder of “Power House,” a community center next to the clinic. She helps patients with their non-medical, administrative needs. "These prohibitions confuse people,” she says. “People think they will no longer be able to access the care they need. You’re not gonna stop abortions by prohibiting them. The only thing this law will achieve is to restrict access to safe abortions and women are going to to die. People think I exaggerate when I say it, but no: pregnant women will do what they have to do if they are desperate."

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Mia Raven is the founder of “Power House,” a community center next to the clinic. She helps patients with their non-medical, administrative needs. "These prohibitions confuse people,” she says. “People think they will no longer be able to access the care they need. You’re not gonna stop abortions by prohibiting them. The only thing this law will achieve is to restrict access to safe abortions and women are going to to die. People think I exaggerate when I say it, but no: pregnant women will do what they have to do if they are desperate."

Ana María Rodríguez

PUBLICIDAD

At the Montgomery clinic, abortions are only performed on Fridays. A police patrol is parked outside to prevent violent incidents.

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At the Montgomery clinic, abortions are only performed on Fridays. A police patrol is parked outside to prevent violent incidents.

Ana María Rodríguez

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Helmi Helkin, leader of the escort group at the West Alabama Clinic, the only clinic in Tuscaloosa and one of three in the state.

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Helmi Helkin, leader of the escort group at the West Alabama Clinic, the only clinic in Tuscaloosa and one of three in the state.

Ana María Rodríguez

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Dr. Yashica Robinson is an obstetrician-gynecologist with 14 years of experience, who also delivers an average of 20 babies a month at a hospital. She has become an activist, raising her voice in support of abortion services, which she calls “necessary.” Her argument is the same as that declared by human rights organizations, lawyers and other reproductive health experts: “abortion bans do not prevent [abortions]. All they do is make them less safe,” she says. “If someone needs one, for whatever reason, they will look for one, even outside the health system.”

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Dr. Yashica Robinson is an obstetrician-gynecologist with 14 years of experience, who also delivers an average of 20 babies a month at a hospital. She has become an activist, raising her voice in support of abortion services, which she calls “necessary.” Her argument is the same as that declared by human rights organizations, lawyers and other reproductive health experts: “abortion bans do not prevent [abortions]. All they do is make them less safe,” she says. “If someone needs one, for whatever reason, they will look for one, even outside the health system.”

Ana María Rodríguez

PUBLICIDAD

"In the state of Alabama, there is a 48-hour waiting period for those who need access to the procedure," explains nurse Lashonda Clemons-Pinchon. The law requires nurses like Clemons-Pinchon to offer a counseling session to patients who make a first appointment at the clinic. During the session, she informs patients of their options and gives them a brochure with information about resources (such as food stamps) in case they decide not to terminate the pregnancy. “I am not dealing with people who cannot decide for themselves,” she says. “This is probably one of the most complicated decisions they’ll ever have to make in their lives, so when they arrive at the office they’re clear about what they need to do.”

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"In the state of Alabama, there is a 48-hour waiting period for those who need access to the procedure," explains nurse Lashonda Clemons-Pinchon. The law requires nurses like Clemons-Pinchon to offer a counseling session to patients who make a first appointment at the clinic. During the session, she informs patients of their options and gives them a brochure with information about resources (such as food stamps) in case they decide not to terminate the pregnancy. “I am not dealing with people who cannot decide for themselves,” she says. “This is probably one of the most complicated decisions they’ll ever have to make in their lives, so when they arrive at the office they’re clear about what they need to do.”

Ana María Rodríguez

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The Alabama State House, the site of multiple protests since the legislation was passed.

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The Alabama State House, the site of multiple protests since the legislation was passed.

Ana María Rodríguez

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The Reverend William Barber II has condemned the prohibitive abortion restrictions passed in the state. The law has not yet gone into effect, thanks to legal challenges by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

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The Reverend William Barber II has condemned the prohibitive abortion restrictions passed in the state. The law has not yet gone into effect, thanks to legal challenges by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Ana María Rodríguez

PUBLICIDAD

"My abortion saved my life," says this young woman who traveled from Tennessee to Montgomery to protest the legislation. She was in an abusive relationship when she underwent the procedure.

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"My abortion saved my life," says this young woman who traveled from Tennessee to Montgomery to protest the legislation. She was in an abusive relationship when she underwent the procedure.

Ana María Rodríguez

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"I am fighting for my body, my rights,” reads another poster.

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"I am fighting for my body, my rights,” reads another poster.

Ana María Rodríguez

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