TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - The Florida House could vote Thursday on a restrictive bill that would outlaw most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
The State Senate passed a version of the measure last week.
If approved, it would head to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has already said he’d sign it into law.
Feet away from the Florida State Capitol, Wednesday night, Kat Duesterhaus was preparing for another protest with other pro-choice activists, who have been sleeping outside for days with a permit.
“This is where I’ve been sleeping here,” she said pointing to a sleeping bag.
Pro-choice supporters camped out Wednesday night, waiting for the Florida House to meet Thursday, where they will likely vote on the controversial abortion bill that bans the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy.
“We cannot sit by silently as they strip our rights, and where will it stop?” said Duesterhaus.
Earlier this month, the Florida Senate passed the six-week abortion bill 26 to 13, after lengthy discussions and — at times– interruptions.
Shortly after the Senate’s vote, Tallahassee Police officers arrested protesters, accused of trespassing when they didn’t leave after authorities said they were told they had to.
Among them was Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
“It’s a shame that we got to this point,” she said, “but I would absolutely do it again if I knew that it was going to wake up the people of our state and understand what is happening with our freedoms being taken away/”
Fried called what is happening in Tallahassee heartbreaking and terrifying.
“Every single day, parts of our state, the fabric of who we are as Floridians, is under attack by this very extreme governor and the minions that are following suit, as the Legislature does,” she said.
Right now, there is a 15-week abortion ban in the Sunshine State. DeSantis signed it into law last year.
“It’s a statement of our values, that every life is important,” he said.
The current law doesn’t exclude rape or incest as an exception to the ban.
“This will represent the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation,” said DeSantis.
But Democrats argue, Republicans are ignoring the rights of so many Floridians.
“This is is going to be something that is going to have a drastic impact on millions upon millions of, not just women, but their families and their significant others,” said Fried, “and unfortunately, the Republican Legislature is not listening.”
The pro-choice supporters plan to occupy the area through Friday at 9 p.m.
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