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At Austin Press Conference, Texas Women Denied Abortions Tell Their Stories

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03.08.2023

Abortion United States News

At Austin Press Conference, Texas Women Denied Abortions Tell Their Stories

Virginia Sobol
Press conference held to discuss Zurawski v. State of Texas, the Center's new case against Texas seeking to clarify the “medical emergency” exception under Texas abortion law.

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Amanda Zurawski, lead plaintiff in the case, discusses her experience. ©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights

On March 7, the Center for Reproductive Rights held a press conference in Austin to discuss its groundbreaking lawsuit against the state of Texas that seeks to clarify the scope of the state’s “medical emergency” exception under its extreme abortion bans.

Press Conference Replay

Hear from some of the plaintiffs and the Center’s Nancy Northup and Molly Duane.

The case, Zurawski v. State of Texas, was brought on behalf of five Texas women—each denied abortion care after facing severe and dangerous pregnancy complications—and two Texas obstetrician-gynecologists.

At the press conference, with the Texas Capitol building in the background, four of the women who are plaintiffs in the case explained how their inability to access abortion care in Texas posed great risks to their fertility, health, and lives. The Center’s Nancy Northup, President and CEO, and Molly Duane, senior staff attorney, also spoke and answered questions from the media about the case.

Below are photos, video clips, and links to more information about the event.

Watch highlights of the press conference:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Center for Reproductive Rights (@reprorights)

View photos of the press conference:

“I love Texas, and it kills me that my own state does not seem to care if I live or die,” said plaintiff Lauren Hall, who was forced to travel to Seattle for an abortion. Her fetus had no chance of survival and continuing the pregnancy posed severe risks to her health and life. —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights
Discussing the case, Center President & CEO Nancy Northup said, “We filed this lawsuit last night to stop the unnecessary pain, suffering, injury, and life-threatening complications caused by Texas’s abortion law.” —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights
“It is with and for all Texans who, like me, are scared and outraged at the thought of being pregnant in this state that I stand and fight,” said Amanda Zurawski, the lead plaintiff in the case. —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights
Although she had to travel to Seattle to obtain care, plaintiff Lauren Miller said, “I was lucky. I had connections to out-of-state doctors. I had family to watch my son. We had the time and money to make the journey. But layers of privilege should never determine which Texans can get access to the health care they need.” —©Jennifer Chowdhury/Center for Reproductive Rights
“As a human being and a patient, I felt like I had no choice during this nightmare,” said plaintiff Anna Zargarian. “What I needed most in that moment was the choice Texas lawmakers robbed me of—the choice to lose my child with dignity and with respect for my body and well-being and future.” —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights
Molly Duane, the Center’s Senior Staff Attorney, answers questions from the press about the case. —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights
(L-R) Molly Duane, Senior Staff Attorney; plaintiffs Lauren Hall, Amanda Zurawski, Anna Zargarian, and Lauren Miller; and Center President & CEO Nancy Northup. —©Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights

More on this event and the case:

  • Press Conference Replay
  • Written Remarks by the Plaintiffs at the Press Conference
  • Case information: Zurawski v. State of Texas
  • Center Sues Texas on Behalf of Women Denied Abortions After Facing Dangerous Pregnancy Complications

The Center for Reproductive Rights is dedicated to helping all people access abortion in their communities, including people who are denied care while facing pregnancy complications. If you have been denied care and want to speak to a lawyer about your options, please reach out to [email protected].

Tags: texas women denied abortions, Texas abortion ban, Zurawski v. State of Texas, press conference, austin press conference, texas press conference, texas emergency exceptions

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