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Reporting

In photos: These are the people defending the right to choose in Alabama

August 28, 2019 | Ana María Rodríguez | Univision
Laws that restrict access to abortion do not prevent them from happening. They simply make it harder for poorer women to access safe procedures. “Both the World Health Organization and the United Nations have repeatedly demonstrated that criminalizing the termination of a pregnancy does not reduce the number of women undergoing these procedures. Unsafe abortions cause the deaths of some 47,000 women each year.” They know it.

1/12

“Alabama women resist” reads a sign in Julia Walker’s room in Montgomery, Alabama. “The legislators of my state and governor Kay Ivey recently approved one of the worst abortion laws and that is why I want to highlight the hypocrisy of saying this is a pro-life state, ‘in favor of life’ when it has one of the worst infant mortality rates and has not even expanded Medicaid.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
Travis Jackson es escolta en la clínica de Montgomery. Es veterano y tiene años trabajando como voluntario, en defensa de que las mujeres puedan decidir si desean llevar a término o no un embarazo. Dice que ha visto cómo los manifestantes <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RealAmericaWithJorgeRamos/videos/660338521150736/" target="_blank">"les gritan obscenidades a las mujeres".</a> Poco a poco se han ido volviendo más violentos y ahora nos preocupa que las pacientes sean perseguidas cuando se dirigen a sus vehículos. <br> <br>

2/12

Travis Jackson is an escort at the Montgomery clinic. A veteran, he has been working as a volunteer for years, defending a woman’s right to choose. He says he has seen protesters “shout obscenities at women.” “Little by little they have become more violent and now we are worried that patients will be followed when they go to their vehicles,” he says. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
La entrada de la única clínica que practica abortos en la capital de Alabama: Reproductive Health Services. Afuera, dos manifestantes que aseguran haber manejado más de tres horas para acudir al centro de salud a protestar.

3/12

The only clinic that performs abortions in Alabama’s capital, Reproductive Health Services. Two protesters say they drove more than three hours to get to the clinic.  Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
Ella es Mia Raven, fundadora de la 'Power House' un centro comunitario justo al lado de la clínica donde ella también trabaja: se encarga de todo lo que no es médico, de la parte administrativa. "Estas prohibiciones confunden a la gente. Las personas creen que ya no podrán acceder al cuidado que necesitan. <b>No vas a detener los abortos al prohibirlos, lo único que esta ley conseguirá es restringir el acceso a los abortos seguros y las mujeres se van a morir. La gente cree que exagero cuando lo digo, pero no: las embarazadas harán lo que tengan que hacer si están desesperadas".</b>

4/12

Mia Raven is the founder of “Power House,” a community center next to the clinic. She helps patients with their non-medical, administrative needs. “These prohibitions confuse people,” she says. “People think they will no longer be able to access the care they need. You’re not gonna stop abortions by prohibiting them. The only thing this law will achieve is to restrict access to safe abortions and women are going to to die. People think I exaggerate when I say it, but no: pregnant women will do what they have to do if they are desperate.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
En la clínica de Montgomery solo se practican abortos los días viernes. Una patrulla de policía se estaciona afuera, a modo de prevenir incidentes violentos.

5/12

At the Montgomery clinic, abortions are only performed on Fridays. A police patrol is parked outside to prevent violent incidents. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
Helmi Helkin, líder del grupo de escoltas en la West Alabama Clinic, la única clínica en Tuscaloosa y una de las tres existentes en el estado.

6/12

Helmi Helkin, leader of the escort group at the West Alabama Clinic, the only clinic in Tuscaloosa and one of three in the state. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
La doctora Yashica Robinson, una ginecóloga con 14 años de experiencia que también ejerce como obstetra asistiendo un promedio de 20 partos al mes en otro hospital. Ella ha alzado su voz para explicar “cuán necesarios” son los servicios que provee destacando el mismo argumento de organizaciones de derechos humanos, abogados y demás expertos en salud reproductiva: <b>“las prohibiciones al aborto no impiden que ocurran. lo único que hacen es volverlos menos seguros.</b> Si alguien necesita uno, por la razón que sea, lo buscará, incluso fuera del sistema de salud”.

7/12

Dr. Yashica Robinson is an obstetrician-gynecologist with 14 years of experience, who also delivers an average of 20 babies a month at a hospital. She has become an activist, raising her voice in support of abortion services, which she calls “necessary.” Her argument is the same as that declared by human rights organizations, lawyers and other reproductive health experts: “abortion bans do not prevent [abortions]. All they do is make them less safe,” she says. “If someone needs one, for whatever reason, they will look for one, even outside the health system.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
En el estado de Alabama hay un período de espera de 48 horas para quien necesite acceder al procedimiento”, explica la enfermera Lashonda Clemons-Pinchon. La ley exige a las enfermeras como ella ofrecer una sesión de consejería a quienes asistan a una primera cita en la clínica: les da a conocer sus opciones y les entrega un folleto con recursos de ayuda (como cupones de comida, por ejemplo) en caso de que decidan continuar con el embarazo. “No estoy lidiando con personas que no pueden decidir por sí mismas. Esta es probablemente una de las decisiones más complicadas que les tocará tomar en sus vidas, de modo que <b>cuando llegan al consultorio, ya tienen claro lo que necesitan hacer”.</b>

8/12

“In the state of Alabama, there is a 48-hour waiting period for those who need access to the procedure,” explains nurse Lashonda Clemons-Pinchon. The law requires nurses like Clemons-Pinchon to offer a counseling session to patients who make a first appointment at the clinic. During the session, she informs patients of their options and gives them a brochure with information about resources (such as food stamps) in case they decide not to terminate the pregnancy. “I am not dealing with people who cannot decide for themselves,” she says. “This is probably one of the most complicated decisions they’ll ever have to make in their lives, so when they arrive at the office they’re clear about what they need to do.” Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
La Cámara de Representantes del estado de Alabama, sede de múltiples protestas desde que la legislación se aprobó.

9/12

The Alabama State House, the site of multiple protests since the legislation was passed. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
El reverendo William Barber II, otra de las voces que se han alzado para condenar la restrictiva prohibición aprobada en el estado, que aún no está vigente, gracias a las demandas que la ACLU y Planned Parenthood le han interpuesto en corte.

10/12

The Reverend William Barber II has condemned the prohibitive abortion restrictions passed in the state. The law has not yet gone into effect, thanks to legal challenges by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
"Un aborto me salvó la vida", dice esta joven que viajó desde Tenessee hasta Montgomery para protestar en contra de la legislación. Asegura que cuando se sometió al procedimiento lo hizo en medio de una relación abusiva que finalmente pudo abandonar.

11/12

“My abortion saved my life,” says this young woman who traveled from Tennessee to Montgomery to protest the legislation. She was in an abusive relationship when she underwent the procedure. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
"Estoy peleando por mi cuerpo y mis derechos", dice la pancarta de esta otra manifestante.

12/12

“I am fighting for my body, my rights,” reads another poster. Crédito: Ana María Rodríguez
About the Author

Ana María Rodríguez

Ana María Rodríguez is an Emmy-nominated visual journalist based in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Her work has been published by UnivisionNoticias.com, WNYC, The Village Voice, El Diario La Prensa and El… Read More.

Original Publication
Univision
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