'We're going to fight back': Austinites gather at Texas Capitol rally for abortion rights

Thousands of Austinites gathered Saturday at the Capitol to rally in support of abortion rights, as part of a national day of action taking place in cities across the country.

Several Texas abortion rights organizations hosted the rally — including Planned Parenthood, American Civil Liberties Unionand Progress Texas — to protest a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court suggesting a complete reversal of its Roe v. Wade decision.

Last week, Politico reported on a leaked draft opinion suggesting a majority of Supreme Court justices are preparing to overturn the landmark ruling. Abortion still remains legal, although Texas has one of the nation's strictest abortion laws that bans the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy.

More: Former state Sen. Wendy Davis files new legal challenge to Texas abortion law

The rally came after multiple protests in Austin and around the country over the past week in support of abortion rights.

At the Capitol, several speakers — including former state Sen. Wendy Davis, Austin Democratic congressional candidate Greg Casar and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin — spoke in favor of abortion rights.

Davis, who recently filed a lawsuit challenging the Texas abortion law, encouraged protesters to vote in the May runoffs and in the November election to remove anyone in office who does not support abortion.

"Let's make a statement," Davis said. "If you don't support access to abortion, we will not support you."

During the rally, a crowd of people shouted chants, including, “My body, my choice. Bans of our bodies." Protesters also carried signs reading “Abortion is healthcare" and "Enough is enough, hands of my muff."

Rally participant Denise Koeppe said she has been attending rallies and protests regarding abortion since the 1970s, and, although she's frustrated at still having to fight for the same right, continues to do so because she is angry and respects her and others' autonomy.

"It's frustrating," Koeppe said. "I hope that the women stand up and won't let it" be overturned.

PolitiFact: What would the end of Roe v. Wade mean for access to abortion pill?

She added that if the decision does get overturned to maintain hope and just hang on. Her husband, David Kopek, added that the leaked decision does not represent what the majority of the population thinks.

Should the court strike down Roe v. Wade, Texas would be among 13 states to outlaw the procedure almost immediately, under a so-called trigger law set to go into effect 30 days after such an opinion from the high court.

More: Abortion would be illegal in Texas if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

Under the trigger law, it would be a felony to perform an abortion, except to save the life of a pregnant patient or if the patient risks “substantial impairment” of a major bodily function. There would be no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Doctors who perform illegal abortions could face life in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

Cathy, who was about 8 years old when Roe v. Wade was passed, and never had to worry about whether or not getting an abortion was her choice, does not want her son and daughter to live in a world where they don't have the same choices she did if the decision is overturned.

"I think it's disgraceful and disgusting," said Cathy, who did not want her last name published. "And it certainly does not represent what the populace wants."

She added that she knows that women, especially women of minority will continue to fight for their autonomy.

Ivan Ramos said that everyone should care about the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned because it won't just be women who are impacted.

"This doesn't just affect women," Ramos said. "It affects everyone, especially people of marginalized communities, people of color."

Kimberly Juarez, who said she was not surprised by the leaked draft decision, said she hopes politicians understand that change is going to happen, and they have to accept it or be left behind.

"We're not going to stand for this and we are going to fight back," Juarez said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Thousands in Austin rally for abortion rights amid Roe v Wade ruling