As lawmakers across America continue to debate passing a new round of anti-abortion bills, women continue to don their red Handmaid's Tale capes and white hoods in protest.
At a Tuesday morning hearing in Ohio, legislators met to consider passing Senate Bill 145 — an amended version of an existing bill, which, if passed, would essentially criminalize abortion. Senate Bill 145 would ban the dilation and evacuation procedure, a common method used during most second trimester abortions between 13 and 24 weeks and occasionally after miscarriages.
The Ohio legislators were joined by female protestors in costumes referencing the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel, who silently took a front row seat to observe the decision.
In the novel, Atwood depicts a world where women lose their bodily autonomy, and are forced to bear children of a ruling elite.
The bill remains shrouded in controversy, especially after Ohio governor, John Kasich, vetoed an anti-abortion law back in December that would have prevented the procedures from taking place any time after a fetus' heartbeat was detected. Kasich made the decision to veto the law because he believed it would be found unconstitutional.
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This certainly isn't the first time the costumes have been used to make a powerful visual statement about outlawing abortion procedure.
The modern-day Handmaids have been spotted everywhere from South By Southwest to state capitols across the country, raising their fists in a sign of solidarity with women everywhere.
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While delivering a speech at Planned Parenthood's 100th Anniversary Gala back in May, Hillary Clinton even referenced the book to discuss politicians working to cut Planned Parenthood funding and access to birth control and abortions.
The dystopic novel recently gained popularity after it was adapted into a Hulu series, and has since transformed into a powerful part of the political resistance.
Topics Activism Social Good Politics
