Pro-life marchers take over downtown San Antonio on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
SAN ANTONIO - As pro-life advocates take over downtown Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people chant, "Pro Life, Choose Life! Pro Life, Choose Life!"
The annual San Antonio March for Life organized by the San Antonio Coalition for Life brought families and people of all walks of life holding signs with the words, 'Choose Life.'
San Antonio Coalition for Life's Executive Director Catherine Nix answers what many might be thinking, "Abortion is illegal in the state of Texas. So folks might wonder, why are we still out here?"
On the anniversary weekend of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court overruled Roe in June of 2022. Nix says the movement is to help provide resources for women that do have unexpected pregnancies are unsure of what to do.
"Pregnancy care centers will do free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds for all the ladies; they'll actually walk with the ladies for 3 years after the child is born," in addition, Nix says these pregnancy care centers offer physical needs like clothing, baby accessories and scholarships.
On the other side of the abortion issue, are advocates who are pro-choice. A rally and march will be held beginning at the Federal Courthouse (214 W Nueva) on Sunday, January 22, the official anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Several advocacy groups are hosting the march, including Mujeres Marcharan Coalition, a group primarily focused on International Women's Day. The coalition's spokesperson, Sarah Johnson says 2022 was a discouraging year for women's reproductive rights, since then, the group and focused on advocating the legalization of abortion, permanently.
"We need to have abortion protection codified at a federal level," Johnson says, who explains the fight is far from over.
"There's nothing "pro-life" about the fact that homicide is the number one cause of death for pregnant people," Johnson says it has been shocking to see elected leaders at the state and federal level to vote for a law that she says, does not represent the majority of Texans opinions on abortion.
Johnson says pro-choice advocates have had several conversations with city and county leaders to provide more help for women in San Antonio. She hopes to see a large crowd at the Federal Courthouse come Sunday, in support of women's rights.
