Where is the abortion fight headed? 4 takeaways from Caitlin Bernard's onstage interview.

Inside the Indiana Roof Ballroom, doctors, politicians and advocates rallied around Dr. Caitlin Bernard Monday evening for her abortion rights activism in the face of public scrutiny and political opposition. The fundraising event hosted by the Our Choice Coalition took place just hours after thousands marched in the streets in support of the state's two-year-old abortion ban.

Abortion remains a top issue in Indiana, compelling people to flood the streets and dig into their pockets.

Bernard reminded her supporters that despite the intense political and legal fights, most people want access to abortion care.

"The majority of families want that for their family," she said.

Bernard was catapulted into the national spotlight after sharing an anecdote with the IndyStar that many conservative politicians and media outlets found unbelievable but doctors say is not rare: A 10-year-old girl traveled from Ohio to Indiana for an abortion after she was raped. While the accusation that the story was made-up was debunked, the state's medical licensing board eventually found she violated patient privacy law although her employer, Indiana University Health said she did not, prompting her supporters to accuse the state of targeting her for supporting abortion rights.

Here are the main takeaways from the night, which included an onstage interview with Bernard.

Indiana abortion supporters are leaning on allies in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan

Abortion rights champions from Indiana's neighboring states were prominently featured during the event as not only allies of abortion rights supporters but also examples of what could be possible in Indiana.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton told the several hundred supporters at the event that her state was one of the most anti-abortion places in the country for much of its history before organizers and activists won reproductive rights.

Now, Illinois is known for taking in abortion patients from states where the procedure has been banned, including a significant number from Indiana .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has signed multiple bills strengthening abortion access in her state, also recorded a message of solidarity for Hoosiers.

Bernard was interviewed by an award-winning journalist and abortion rights activist based in Ohio, Connie Schultz. During the interview, Schultz highlighted her state's recent vote to protect abortion access.

Supporters gave Bernard torchbearer award to fix the state's snub

Last year, the state rejected a recommendation from the Indiana Commission for Women to award Bernard its Torchbearer Award, which is given to women who make a difference. State officials said the decision was due to her reprimand from the state licensing board.

Bernard's supporters say the decision was politically motivated by an administration that has taken a strong anti-abortion stance.

After the event, Bernard received the Our Choice Coalition Torchbearer Award. The coalition is a Political Action Committee working to elect candidates who support reproductive rights.

Bernard is not interested in running for office

Schultz asked Bernard multiple times if she would ever consider running for office, complimenting the physician on remaining steadfast in the face of criticism and negative publicity.

Each time, Bernard adamantly insisted that she was not interested. She added that she doesn't believe abortion care should be a political issue and she wishes she didn't have to talk to politicians and lawyers.

What went wrong? And what's next?

During the interview, Bernard said the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling was never enough to protect abortion access.

Federal protections were also needed, she said.

Looking forward, the legal battles rages on, she said. Supporters of abortion rights have to highlight stories of challenges that pregnant people face and continue their activism.

Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 or Bhuang@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 4 takeaways from Dr. Caitlin Bernard's onstage interview.