Fort Worth

‘The fight won’t end.’ Dozens gather at Fort Worth rally supporting abortion rights

Abortion rights supporters won’t stop fighting despite the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion which suggested that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, Fort Worth Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck said Tuesday evening at a rally on the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse.

Dozens of activists gathered, carrying signs and wearing shirts supporting access to abortions.

Representatives from Planned Parenthood said the United States is at a “crisis point” and that it will continue to fight to ensure access to abortions. They encouraged abortion rights supporters to vote to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott and sign petitions.

Beck said that people in Fort Worth, Texas and across the nation will be fighting for the rights of their daughters.

Terri Fowler holds up a sign against abortion bans Tuesday, May 3, 2022, near the Tarrant County Courthouse.
Terri Fowler holds up a sign against abortion bans Tuesday, May 3, 2022, near the Tarrant County Courthouse. Yffy Yossifor yyossifor@star-telegram.com

“To say I am pissed off would be an understatement,” Beck said. “The Supreme Court is taking away our right to freedom.”

Beck became choked up as she talked about how her daughters won’t have a right to an abortion if the draft opinion becomes the official ruling of the court. She said it would remove the rights of her daughters to decide whether or not to have a child and would make it more difficult for women to get an education and advance in their careers.

Beck added that she won’t stop fighting for access to abortions no matter the results.

Women in attendance, such as Courtney Ace, said that promise was encouraging.

“I hope this resistance continues and we get a bigger outcome at future rallies as people realize how much this affects them,” Ace said.

Julie Banner said she’s scared about the possible outcome of the Supreme Court case but was glad to see people were there fighting for the cause.

“ ... The fight won’t end. If we stop fighting when things become apocalyptic we’ve lost,” Banner said. “We have to keep fighting for the next generation.”

Banner said her father came with her to the rally to support women’s access to abortions, saying he understood the “hellscape” that would follow for women if they lost access to abortion services and other needed medical care.

This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 7:45 PM.

James Hartley
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
James Hartley was a news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 2019 to 2024
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