Austin, Texas, 2039
The Lone Star Wrongful Birth Coalition came galloping into existence in 2039, 18 years after the Texas legislature passed a law banning abortions beyond the six-week mark—no exceptions for rape or incest. Soon thereafter, every state except California followed suit in depriving women of their right to make their own decisions.
To mark the anniversary of the Texas Legislature’s cruel decision, a crowd of some 100,000 is gathering near the Capitol steps in Austin under a light drizzle to hear the Coalition’s Founders Jacob Ross and Mia Lopez speak to the issue.
Ms. Lopez, a tall, thin brunette wearing a green poncho, speaks first. “We wouldn’t be here today if authoritarian Republicans hadn’t taken away our freedom by forcing us to be born. During the years prior to their decision to stop our mothers from making their own choices, 55,000 abortions were performed every year in Texas. While it’s probably true that not everyone born under these circumstances regrets it, there are thousands of us who do. Your attendance today affirms that.”
The crowd screams, “Bring back abortion. Bring back abortion.” Police on horseback slowly encircle the crowd, their steeds snorting and pawing the ground.
Mr. Ross, pushing his damp blond hair out of his eyes, says, “The legislation that forced us to be born was a sop to the Republicans’ stalwart right-wing Christian base, which is the same group that has refused to acknowledge climate change.
“As we well know, since 2021 when they passed their witless anti-abortion legislation, the world has seen record fires, hurricanes, floods and crippling drought with frightening crop failures resulting in the starvation of thousands of us they so thoughtlessly forced into being. Our lives have become the living hell the climate scientists had predicted decades ago. We’re no longer fetuses—where is their compassion now?
“Over the past 18 years there have been over 900,000 humans in Texas who have been forced into life. This is not sustainable. We want abortion rights restored. We want the freedom of not being born.
“The only positive result we’ve noticed from the witless anti-abortion law is that the pews in most Evangelical Christian Churches now sit empty. Those organizations no longer have a reason to exist. Fighting abortions and the women who sought them was their raison d’etre. Who knew how much hatred for women they carried in their hearts? Without it, they have nothing.
“And what is the state legislature been doing during this frightening time? Cutting taxes on the fossil fuel companies! They’re like the snake that eats itself.”
“Stop them now. Stop them now,” come the cries from the protesters.
The police silently spur their horses toward the crowd.
Rosie Sorenson is a humor writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can contact her at: RosieSorenson29@yahoo.com
From The Progressive Populist, December 1, 2021
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