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Thousands Gather To Protest Spanish Abortion Bill

Tens of thousands gathered in Spain to protest a controversial bill. It would restrict abortions except in cases of rape, or mental or physical risks.
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Tens of thousands gathered in the streets of Madrid Saturday to protest a controversial abortion bill.

If the proposed law was enacted, it would restrict all abortions except in cases of rape, or if there was a mental or physical risk to the mother. (Via Euronews)

The BBC reports the ruling center-right Popular Party supports the bill saying it was part of a campaign promise during elections back in 2011, but protesters have come out to voice their opposition.

The current abortion law, as it stands, allows women to get abortions without any restrictions until they're 14 weeks into their pregnancies.

One protester told The Telegraph if the law was to pass: "It will turn the clock back 30 years. I can’t believe we are again fighting for something that we thought we had already won."

According to The Guardian, the protesters have a lot of support behind them. Recent polls say between 70 and 80 percent of the population is opposed to the legislation.

This protest is not the first one against the proposed law.

On Wednesday, protesters also gathered outside the Spanish embassy in Brussels to fight against the bill. Several other protests have taken place in the last month. (Via WLNS)

The BBC reports the Socialist Party, which is against the legislation, is worried that if the law passed, women seeking abortions would get them at potentially dangerous "backstreet clinics."