Posted on Jun 4, 2021
Abortion: Texas teen attacks new law in high school graduation speech
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When Paxton Smith got up to deliver her high school graduation speech, it was supposed to be about TV and the media.
But the teenager ditched the script that had been approved by her school, and spoke about abortions instead.
In her home state of Texas, a law banning abortion from as early as six weeks has recently been signed.
"I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace when there is a war on my body," Paxton said in the speech that's since gone viral.
The law bans abortions after the detection of what anti-abortion campaigners call a foetal heartbeat, something medical authorities like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say is misleading. Many women would not know they are pregnant that early on.
The law does allow abortions in the case of a medical emergency, but not for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
But the teenager ditched the script that had been approved by her school, and spoke about abortions instead.
In her home state of Texas, a law banning abortion from as early as six weeks has recently been signed.
"I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace when there is a war on my body," Paxton said in the speech that's since gone viral.
The law bans abortions after the detection of what anti-abortion campaigners call a foetal heartbeat, something medical authorities like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say is misleading. Many women would not know they are pregnant that early on.
The law does allow abortions in the case of a medical emergency, but not for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
Abortion: Texas teen attacks new law in high school graduation speech
Posted from bbc.com
Abortion
State of Texas
Sexual Assault
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 4
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women all over need to stand up and say "hands off my body"!!!!!!!!! legislators need to realize that men cannot tell a woman what to do with her body. would we men want women telling us what to do with our bodies?
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SrA John Monette
SFC Casey O'Mally - yet we keep the death penalty so we don't have to deal with those men and women for the rest of their natural lives
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SrA John Monette The death penalty is not a matter of convenience. It is FAR more troublesome AND expensive than a life sentence.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SrA John Monette A) that is not entirely true. B) Many decisions a person can make are wrong. Some are even illegal. Stating something is someone's decision does not absolve them of the responsibility for that decision.
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CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
If a woman said that BEFORE getting pregnant, this whole discussion would be a moot point.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
When signing the bill, Texas governor Greg Abbott said "millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion" and "in Texas we work to save those lives".
'We cannot stay silent'
Doctors and women's rights groups have heavily criticised the change, which will take effect in September if it's not stopped by a court.
"In light of recent events, it feels wrong to talk about anything but what is currently affecting me and millions of other women," Paxton said to fellow students at Lake Highlands High School.
When signing the bill, Texas governor Greg Abbott said "millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion" and "in Texas we work to save those lives".
'We cannot stay silent'
Doctors and women's rights groups have heavily criticised the change, which will take effect in September if it's not stopped by a court.
"In light of recent events, it feels wrong to talk about anything but what is currently affecting me and millions of other women," Paxton said to fellow students at Lake Highlands High School.
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