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AUSTIN, Texas – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Texas are in Austin today as the state legislature begins a second special session called by Gov. Rick Perry in a continuing fight over sweeping abortion restrictions. Thousands of Texans are expected to rally at the state Capitol today in support of women’s health care.
Perry called this legislative session after a bill that could have resulted in the closure of most clinics that provide abortions was defeated by a dramatic 13-hour filibuster by State Sen. Wendy Davis. Hundreds of protesters filled the state Capitol to watch the filibuster and debate, and 170,000 viewers watched the session online.
“Men and women across the country are standing with the women of Texas today as the legislature again takes up this extreme measure that would shut down most clinics in the state,” said Jennifer Dalven, director of the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project. “Politicians in Texas and around country remain laser-focused on banning abortion and interfering in a woman’s private medical decisions. We can’t let that happen. We join Texas women and women throughout the nation to say enough is enough.”
“In continuing to push for this extreme measure, some politicians defy the will of most Texans, who want our leaders to focus on critical issues like education, jobs, and the economy and stop limiting a woman’s access to safe, legal health care,” said Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas. “We proudly stand with the people of Texas today and will continue to fight to protect women’s access to health care in our state.”
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The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
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The ACLU works to ensure that every person can make the best decision for themselves and their family about whether and when to have a child without undue political interference.