Protesters outside Ediburg City Hall take a stand last Wednesday against SB8, a new Texas law that prohibits abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy. The law, also known as the “heartbeat bill,” went into effect the same day. Kaitlyn Polvado/The Rider
Protesters gathered outside Edinburg City Hall last Wednesday to protest against a new state law, titled “SB8,” which prohibits an abortion after six weeks of a successful pregnancy or once the fetal heartbeat is heard.
The new law, better known as the “heartbeat bill,” was put into effect after federal appeals courts and the U.S. Supreme Court failed to respond to emergency appeals by abortion providers who voiced their concerns on social media about legal challenges that might arise due to the new law allowing for people to sue citizens who aid someone in obtaining an abortion.
Although most people do not know they are pregnant by six weeks, which is usually when cardiac movement begins, supporters of SB8 argue that a potential life has the right to continue on that path to a successful life postpartum.
On the opposing side, protesters voiced their concerns about how they believe this law will affect those who can get pregnant.
Rebecca Rivera, who was among dozens of people who protested againtst SB8 at city hall, said the new law has no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
“Rape and incest victims are not able to recieve an abortion when they should have the ability to do so because they didn’t have the choice [to conceive],” Rivera said.
As many as 50,000 women per year experience critical, unexpected health problems due to pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health. With this new law, people who are pregnant face the risk of having to carry to delivery with little to no exceptions.
Another lead protester at the event, Ivania Gutierrez spoke about the legal and financial trouble that can arise from trying to help people who are experiencing medical issues get an abortion.
“It’s kind of like putting a bounty on people’s back because, now, if anybody needs an abortion or someone just wants to help someone have an abortion,” Gutierrez said. “They’re going to be sued for tens of thousands of dollars just for helping somebody get help.”
Many states that also want similar abortion laws to Texas are now turning to their lawmakers to push for stricter laws, creating uncertainty among those who can get pregnant across the nation, especially in more conservative states.
Gutierrez said her fear is similar to those across the country who are now facing the reality of these kinds of laws being enacted in their own states.
“It’s very scary,” she said. “It shouldn’t be, but it’s a scary time to be a woman. I’m scared for everybody who needs an abortion. I’m scared for people who are raped. I know that because of this, there’s going to be states that are going to want to adopt laws like this.”
With the new law, some may not know where to turn for help.
Gutierrez said those who want to help abortion providers or are seeking an abortion should reach out “to organizations, abortion funds, because they can still help you, even like with compliance to SB8.”
