Two sides of abortion battle face off at Indiana Statehouse

Hoosiers on either side of the abortion battle collided on the Indiana capital Saturday.

Hundreds of individuals protested the U.S. Supreme Courtroom’s resolution to overturn the constitutional protections for abortion. Others voiced assist for Indiana lawmakers to ban the process throughout subsequent months’s particular legislative session.

From the steps of the statehouse, audio system from American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, Deliberate Parenthood and Women4Change known as on the gang of some thousand to battle again in opposition to the ruling and discover methods to assist ladies who might quickly be impacted.

“We win after we present up,” Jane Henegar, ACLU Government Director, mentioned. “After we arise for our rights and the rights of others.”

The audio system reminded these in attendance that abortion continues to be authorized in Indiana. 

“I am frightened that due to the Supreme Courtroom resolution that individuals have already stopped pondering that they’ve that proper right here in Indiana which they completely do till the legislature says in any other case,” mentioned Katie Blair, ACLU public coverage director.

Indiana lawmakers return for a particular session July 6 after they might prohibit abortion. Deliberate Parenthood State Director LaKimba DeSadier known as on the hundreds of pro-abortion rights protestors to descend on the Statehouse subsequent month when lawmakers seem ready to ban or prohibit abortion.

“I anticipate to see this complete crowd on this constructing,” DeSadlier mentioned. 

Lydia Jurgen additionally expects individuals to place stress on lawmakers and Gov. Eric Holcomb — to ban abortion. 

Jurgen, a 68-year-old Indianapolis native, has advocated for a ban since 1986. She attended a prayer rally held on the statehouse garden.

“I’m comfortable for the county that possibly we will cease the tradition of dying,” she mentioned of ruling. “Possibly we will make it unlawful in Indiana.”

What come’s subsequent?

Either side arrived on the Statehouse to demand what they wish to occur subsequent in Indiana, in wake of the excessive courtroom’s resolution that pushed the problem of the right way to legislate abortion again to particular person states. Lots of the protestors have been younger and got here with private tales.

Chloe Irvin, 18, drove from Crawfordsville. She expressed nervousness for the long run.

“It does make me fearful,” she mentioned. “It makes me concern for our future and what different rights could be taken away from like LGBT folks or trans individuals.”

Mary Stergar, 70, mentioned her grandmother died from coathanger abortion that she was pressured into

“So it’s extremely private to me,” she mentioned.

Proper to Life Indianapolis and Stand for Life Indiana held two separate rallies on the Statehouse south garden. Supporters there need Indiana to hitch greater than 20 different states who will quickly or have already got made abortion unlawful or closely restricted. 

Mark Tuttle, the Indianapolis Proper to Life president, is trying ahead lawmakers’ dialogue subsequent month.

“Fo us to have the ability to come collectively as Hoosiers to actually discuss these points learn the way finest to guard harmless human life in addition to be there for the pregnant mothers and to assist mothers of their want,” Tuttle mentioned. 

Some anti-abortion protestors, like Michael Thornesly, mentioned they assist a full ban with out exemptions for rape or a mom whose life is in danger.

“I do consider that it needs to be throughout the board as a result of despite the fact that a lady’s life could be in danger there’s nonetheless a life there that should have an opportunity to reside,” Thornesly mentioned.

Indianapolis Metropolis-County Councilor Ali Brown might have been a type of moms. She had an emergency c-section and docs have informed her being pregnant is actual threat.

“It is actually laborious whenever you’re one of many individuals who if I get pregnant once more, there’s an excellent probability I’ll die,” Brown mentioned. “And to listen to the Supreme Courtroom justices say go forward and die.”

The later Stand for Line rally of about 100 abortion rights opponents was overpowered by abortion rights supporters who marched in because the occasion started. Audio system have been drowned out as chants of “my physique, my selection” and “pro-life is a lie” dominated. 

Tensions have been excessive as state police fashioned a line between the gang and audio system however the occasion stayed peaceable.

Holcomb this month known as for a particular legislative session to approve a tax rebate. Friday he mentioned abortion entry needs to be addressed too. Statehouse Republicans have but to say how far they’ll attempt to prohibit abortion rights and if they’re going to enable exceptions, corresponding to in instances of rape.

Contact WFYI reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridian@wfyi.org. Observe on Twitter: @JillASheridan.

WFYI editor Eric Weddle contributed to this report.