TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Over 180 Florida residents showed up to speak on controversial abortion bill HB 7, that was sponsored by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers). The legislation limits abortions to six weeks from 15 weeks, but includes an exception that allows the procedure up to 15 weeks in cases of rape or incest.
Although the bill was eventually passed along party lines, it didn’t stop Democrat lawmakers and Florida residents from speaking out against it. Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), voiced her opposition, stating “everyone should be able to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their future without interference from us, politicians.”
Rep. Eskamani was followed up by members from Equality Florida, one of whom yelled, “Pro-life is a lie. You don’t care if people die.”
Another echoed her sentiment, stating “I don’t think that any of you want pregnant people in absolutely tragic circumstances to die…”
Other activists who testified focused on how the abortion bill would affect the LGBT community: “This is an attack on people – directly people with uteruses, BIPOP, and the impoverished community.”
Another young woman asked lawmakers why these bills only target women and not men. “If you wanna control births, I suggest maybe targeting men who can impregnate thousands of women per year,” she cried.
Students and activists even went so far as to threaten legislators: “All of the young people in this room are going to be very happy to vote you out next cycle” and “once this passes, there will be riots. And we will fight!”
