LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Advocates for abortion rights continue to rally for access in Kentucky. In downtown Louisville Tuesday, multiple organizations called attention to mark one year since the state banned abortion care.

What You Need To Know

  • Advocates for abortion rights continue to rally for more access

  • Multiple organizations called attention to mark one year since Kentucky banned abortion care

  • This occurred Tuesday in downtown Louisville

  • Kentucky Right to Life said they have celebrated each life saved in the past year

At the steps of Metro Hall, Diane Snowa, 88, chanted loudly. She drew attention to the first anniversary since Kentucky banned abortion care in the state.

“The environment in Kentucky is so hostile to one of the greatest gifts that God has ever given us, and that is our bodies, our human sexuality and our freedom of choice,” Snowa said.

ACLU Executive Director Amber Duke said their fight to regain access continues.

“On the legal side, the ACLU of Kentucky is still looking for a patient plaintiff in order to challenge the abortion bans that are currently in place,” Duke said.

On the same day, neighboring state Indiana became the 15th state to nearly ban all abortions.

“When Roe [v. Wade] fell, it created immediately a patchwork of access across the state. And what we’ve seen across the country over the past year is different states essentially closing or shutting down services as legislation pass passes through their legislatures,” Duke said.

It’s about access, she said, because many Kentuckians relied on traveling there as patients.

“The ACLU of Indiana has filed a rehearing in their case. So that has temporarily put a pause on Indiana’s services being stopped. How long, you know, the services will be available? What will happen in their ultimate challenge? We have to see,” Duke said.

While the legal battles continue, Duke said she wants people to know that abortion services are medical services.

As for the retired pastor, she said this is her fight.

“[This] is my passion for the people of Louisville and the people of Kentucky who are being held bondage by their legislators,” Duke said.

Kentucky banned abortions on Aug. 1 last year.

Spectrum News reached out to Kentucky Right to Life. They said they have celebrated each life saved in the past year. They also disputed abortion rights advocates’ calls for access to the procedure.

“The challenge we put before the [abortion-rights] advocates today, if we truly care about Kentucky women, we must be going backwards, but we must be coming together and seeking ways to support pregnant women that provides a path for a bright future that breaks the cycle of poverty for Kentucky women and their children,” the organization said in a statement. “We must work together to respond to the issues impacting Kentucky women.” 

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