"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." Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
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. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
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." Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
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.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
"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.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez