LOS ANGELES - Women's groups and other activists have called for a wave of marches on Tuesday to protest against extreme abortion bans in Alabama, Georgia, and other Southern states.

Alabama's "heartbeat bill," so-called because doctors who perform an abortion in non-life-threatening cases after a fetal heartbeat has been detected face 99 years in prison, has become a national topic of discussion.

With lawmakers in some 15 other states introducing similar bills, activists nationwide are speaking up. 

There are about 25 marches set to take place across Los Angeles County at noon on Tuesday, with the biggest event expected to be in West Hollywood. 

Hollywood heavyweights are also weighing in, with filmmaker Ron Howard threatening to boycott the State of Alabama if the heartbeat bill goes into effect. 

Marchers and activists are organizing locally and nationally under the hashtag #StopTheBans.

For information on marches and stop the ban events near you, visit: stopabortionbans.org

For information on upcoming pro-life events in the Southland, visit: prolifeevents.org/california