Standing shoulder to shoulder in the rain, women of all ages and backgrounds rallied outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall to send a message to the Texas legislature. 

“SB8 is unconstitutional and we are also here to hold the Supreme Court accountable, they turned their back on women and it is not okay,” explained Pascale Bernard, the vice president of Public Affairs and Organization at Planned Parenthood of Greater NY.

What You Need To Know

  • Several dozen women rallied outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall to denouce the recent abortion laws passed in Texas

  • SB8 is the law banning most abortions after a heartbeat is detected in the fetus, or about six weeks of pregnancy

  • Activists worry the Texas law could become a model for other states to follow
  • The Department of Justice said it will sue the state of Texas over the new law

The Lone Star State's Senate Bill 8 bans most abortions after a heartbeat is detected in the fetus, or about six weeks of pregnancy. The law does not make exceptions for rape or incest, but does permit abortions for specific health reasons. 

Dr. Jane Kaufman works at Planned Parenthood and treats women seeking abortions. She says the fear among activists is that the Texas law could become a model for other states to follow. 

“We know from countries around the world, and from what happened in this country before Roe V. Wade that women will pursue dangerous abortions and die and it is imperative we keep abortions legal, safe and accessible,” said Dr. Kaufman.

On Thursday, the Justice Department announced it would sue the state of Texas over the new law. Washington Attorney General Merrick Garland called the law unconstitutional, even after the Supreme Court declined a request by Texas abortion clinics to block it last week.

"This kind of scheme to nullify the constitution of the United States is one that all Americans, whatever their politics or party, should fear,” said U.S. Attorney General Garland in a press conference. 

New York State has some of the most robust protections around abortion rights in the nation. Gov. Kathy Hochul said it is all the more reason New Yorkers must fight for the women in Texas. 

“We are here to show the rest of the nation that New Yorkers stand with every single one of you. Women across this nation, we have your backs. We will not abandon you just because we are far more enlightened in our respect for women’s bodies,” said Hochul.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights groups say they are coordinating with organizations around the country to plan a nation wide day of action sometime in the beginning of October.