By: FOX 7 Austin Digital Team

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Senate has passed seven bills aimed at restricting access to abortions in Texas.

“We need to protect that unborn child and the mother, and that’s the goal of what the legislature is doing this time,” said Dr. Joe Pojman, executive director for Texas Alliance for Life.

The Texas Senate has given the okay to seven House bills aimed at restricting, and possibly even banning, abortions in the state. These bills will be turned over to the House for approval, but for Dr. Pojman this is a win.

“I’ve been lobbying for more than 30 years; I never see a day like we’ve had in the Texas Senate. We need those safety regulations in place that protect a woman who’s having an abortion in Texas. Texas Alliance for Life, we’re a pro-life organization, we want to protect unborn babies,” he said.

By: Claudia Jimenez

The 2021 Texas Rally for Life is being held at the Capitol and virtually Saturday afternoon.

Organizers say people are gathering to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide. It was decided nearly 50 years ago on Jan. 22, 1973.

The event is being held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Starting at 2 p.m., a livestream will begin from near the Capitol. The livestream will be broadcast on The Bridge at 101.1 FM and 1120 AM.

A recorded message from Gov. Greg Abbott will be shown. Other speakers include State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), Bishop Joe Vasquez with the Catholic Diocese of Austin and Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director. A special proclamation will also be read.

Those who want to participate in the caravan should gather at the designated parking garages at 14th Street and San Jacinto Boulevard. Vehicles will leave from the garages starting at 1:30 p.m. to start a 30-minute loop around the city and the Capitol.

More than forty organizations are participating, including Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Values and Young Conservatives of Texas.

By: Bettie Cross

The 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade brought protestors and a caravan of cars to the Texas Capitol on Saturday.

A long line of cars inched their way up Congress Avenue with horns and shouts making the pro-life message clear. The caravan circled downtown Austin to kick off the Texas Rally for Life. Before the drivers made a lap, others gathered at the Texas Capitol to denounce the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States.

“We are hopeful, but we are not certain that the Supreme Court may be willing to take a fresh look at Roe unencumbered by precedent and give our legislators more latitude to protect unborn children before viability,” said Dr. Joe Pojman, Founder of Texas Alliance for Life.

Pro-life advocates called on the Texas Legislature to be ready for possible abortion rights changes. They say that includes passing the Human Life Protection Act.

“When Roe is overturned, and I believe Roe will be overturned very soon, as soon as that happens innocent children are protected in the womb immediately as soon as that happens. That’s what the Human Life Protection Act will do,” said Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Director.

By: Amanda Ruiz

For the past 30 years, Texas Alliance for Life has held its Texas Rally for Life. Instead of having its annual march, this year the group held a caravan.

“We’re very excited to have our Texas rally for life. Here at the Capitol in Austin,” said Amy O’Donnell with Texas Alliance for Life.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court made the landmark decision in the case of Roe v. Wade. The Texas Alliance for Life’s rally is put on in opposition of it.

“Just as a way to memorialize the event and to recognize all the lives that have been lost. Over 62 million lives have been lost since Roe v. Wade passage, and so we’re here to speak up for those babies,” said O’Donnell.

By: Natalie Martinez

One week after the 45th anniversary of Roe versus Wade, thousands of pro-life marchers filled the capitol steps advocating for an end to abortion.

Knights of Columbus from across the city, student-led religious groups and legislators rallied in front of the south steps. Lined in front of the capitol were pro-choice protestors, including the Texas Handmaids who symbolize reproductive women’s rights.

“Years ago, I held a little baby in my arms and months before that her mother had a talk to staff at an emergency pregnancy crisis center and after having a conversation with that staff the mother decided against abortion and decided to give her baby a chance at life,” Abbott said.

Abbott spoke of the pro-life legislative milestones. In 2017 two bills were signed into law.

Governor Greg Abbott also proclaimed January 22nd, the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, to be the “Sanctity of Life Day” in Texas.