The great debate
Students respond to summer’s drama over abortion legislation On June 25, the capital of Texas was rocked by the type of Capitol, many other citizens were pleased with the final outcome of grassroots movement that best represents the goal of American dedebate over the bill. mocracy. Hundreds of citizens of all ages headed to the capitol building “I think that the passage of this law was a really important step in in downtown Austin to protest or support Texas Senate Bill 5 (later better protecting the lives of children, as well as mothers,” Sabrina renamed Texas House Bill 2). The bill bans abortions after a fetus has said. “I definitely don’t see the fight for the protection of human life as reached 20 weeks and places tight restrictions on abortion clinics and over, but I’m glad to see that our state is moving in the right direction physicians across the state. on this issue.” Reproductive health policy has long The question now is how far in that been one of the most polarizing issues direction the state of Texas can leon any politician’s social agenda, so gally go. Regardless of concerns about constructive debate is often avoided. safety, the act of abortion itself remains A filibuster is a debate tactic used by memBut state Senator Wendy Davis of the constitutionally upheld by the SuFort Worth area took the opportunity preme Court. Furthermore, pro-choice bers of a legislative body in order to prevent of the state legislature’s special sessions advocacy groups and female-health a vote from taking place. It entails speaking this summer to quit tiptoeing around center Planned Parenthood filed a sucthe issue and to confront abortion policessful lawsuit, Planned Parenthood for a prolonged period of time and refusing tics head on. She did so with a maravs. Abbott, against the law. On Oct. 28 to yield the floor to other representatives, thon 11-hour filibuster that quickly a federal judge struck down multiple became one of the most incendiary provisions in the legislation, deeming although filibusters are limited to discussion moves state politics has seen in years. them unconstitutional. germane to the issue at hand. “I think that [the issue of abortion] “This decision gives me hope for Congressional members employing this gets ignored a lot of the time by politiTexas women, hope for a future in cians and the general media,” junior which our own bodies are truly ours,” procedure must continue speaking and standSabrina Sanchez said. “I was glad to Lily said. ing essentially without pause. More often than see that it was getting national attenAttorney Genreal Greg Abbott has tion and that people, especially young already filed an appeal with the 5th Cirnot, the goal of a filibuster is to retain compeople, were getting involved.” cuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. mand of the floor until the time allotted for Davis’ filibuster spurred a firestorm Court battles over the law are far from of Facebook statuses, viral blog posts over. Couple this development with debate on a proposal has run out. and tweets (even one from President Wendy Davis’ announcement on Oct. 3 Obama sporting the hashtag “Standthat she is running for Texas governor, WithWendy”), and those living in and the war over reproductive policy in Austin were able to march to the Capitol and protest for their causes. this state looks like it will remain under a glaring national spotlight for “I experienced something like never before,” said junior Lily Adsome time to come. Many do not consider that a negative outcome. ams, who participated in the rallies. “So many people, uniting together, “The biggest thing that I have noticed, especially in this community, to fight for something that they truly believed is that people either don’t know anything that is going in. Women were there, of course, to fight on with [the issue of abortion] or think that for their reproductive rights, but men were because it doesn’t directly apply to them, there, too, because they morally believed it it isn’t important,” Sabrina said. “As we was right. Everyone that was pro-choice continue to debate in the future, I would and against House Bill 2 wore orange, really like to see more people, includso when you looked out at everyone ing myself, educate themselves and together they were like a sea of form a strong stance on what they orange. It was very unifying.” believe.” The large crowd reA controversial topic like mained in the Capitol until reproductive rights will Davis’ filibuster was finished undoubtedly produce fiery and she was finally removed debates. Such dialogue profrom the floor. The euphoria vides the perfect opportunity of the pro-choice masses was for students to engage in civil deflated to a simmering frustraparticipation. tion. “[The evening of the “I was in the Capitol when the filibuster] was really interesting filibuster finished,” Lily said. “It was and it made me proud to be an heartbreaking. Everyone was booing, Austinite,” Lily said. “Being in that I saw people crying and it felt like a room with these incredibly passionate, crime was committed against us.” strong-willed men and women who were Indeed, House Bill 2 was eventuout there willing to fight for what they ally passed in further special sessions believe in, was something that was really called by Governor Rick Perry. But empowering.” despite the anger of protesters at the —Katelyn Connolly
What is a filibuster?
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