Hundreds rally at Texas Capitol to support bill abolishing abortion

Hundreds of pro-life protesters gathered at the Texas state capitol on Saturday afternoon to attend the "Abolish Abortion" rally in support of a bill that would outlaw the procedure in the state.

House Bill 948, also known as the Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act, would grant human rights to unborn children from the moment of conception. Under the legislation, abortion providers and women who obtain abortions could be charged with murder. The measure provides exemptions in cases when the mother's life is at risk.

Supporters of the bill have gathered outside the state capitol building on Saturday, with some carrying signs such as "We the people demand abolition," "50,000 babies murdered every year in Texas in accordance with pro-life laws" and "Stop regulating murder; H.B. 948."

Rep. Tony Tinderholt, the author of the bill, had been placed under Texas Department of Public Safety protection last month after he received several death threats. He said that the death threats came after Jan. 11 when he filed the bill.

He stated that he introduced the bill as a response to the language in the Texas Republican Party platform, passed in May, calling for the complete abolition of abortion in the state, according to Christian News Network.

Wes Thomas, the organizer of the rally, said that the Abolish Abortion group is made up of Christians from across the state, who are working in conjunction with sister groups in several other states.

"The pro-life movement has sought to regulate murder and seek incremental victories and seek to comply with the Supreme Court when it comes to Roe v. Wade," said Thomas, as reported by Statesman. "We're coming at it a little differently ... (and) seeking for the total abolition," he continued.

His statement was echoed by Concerned Christian Citizens President Joe Goodson, who helped organize a group to attend from Temple area.

"No more incremental steps are sufficient to do it (abortion) justice. We have to say abolish now just like they did with slavery," he said.

The organizers said that up to 1,000 people attended the rally. Austin police noted that the group started with 250 people at the Austin Women's Health Center but did not have an estimate when they arrived at the Capitol later in the day.