Abortion law prompts pro-life protests in Spain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tens of thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators gathered in at least four Spanish cities yesterday to protest about a new law that allows abortions without restrictions up to 14 weeks.
Organizers' spokesman Victor Gago said one march, in which demonstrators carried banners saying "Yes to Life," blocked Madrid's central Sol square. Besides the capital, rallies were held in Barcelona, Bilbao and Seville, Gago told The Associated Press.
"We are here to make all of Spain aware that abortion is a crime and that you can't just turn a crime into a right with the stroke of a pen," said protester Leonor Tamayo who attended the Madrid rally with her three children.
The law is the latest to be passed by the Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero which first took office in 2004 and has ruffled feathers among many in this once staunchly Catholic country ever since.
Spain's Senate approved the new bill late last month after it had been approved by the lower house in December.
It is planned to come into force in July, four months after the law is published in the state bulletin, which is expected this month.
The bill brings Spain in line with its more secular neighbors in northern Europe, replacing a 1985 law that in theory allowed for women to be imprisoned for getting an abortion outside certain strict conditions.
Nonetheless, around 100,000 abortions are carried out each year in Spain, most of them early-term. Women must allege mental distress as grounds for the process.
Backers of the law say the new law brings an end to illegal abortions and offers women a choice. But, some protesters disagreed with that reasoning.
"Women don't have rights in this matter — it's the child that has the all the right to be born," said Borja Ozores, who pushed his infant son in a stroller.
Zapatero's drive toward liberal policies includes easier divorce and legalized gay marriage.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments