Thousands of people rallied outside and inside the Indiana Statehouse as lawmakers began a special session to debate a Republican bill that would ban nearly all abortions.

Indianapolis, July 27 (RHC)-- Thousands of people rallied outside and inside the Indiana Statehouse as lawmakers began a special session to debate a Republican bill that would ban nearly all abortions. Indiana is the first U.S. state to hold a special session to consider abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month. 

Obstetrician and abortion rights advocate Amy Caldwell told reporters: “My primary objective today in testifying is to relay that abortion is common, it is safe, and that all of the proposed restrictions in Senate Bill 1 are unnecessary and harmful. … My colleagues are fearful to do their jobs, fearful of being criminalized and fearful for criminalizing our patients.”

In related news, dozens of incoming medical students at the University of Michigan walked out of their white-coat induction ceremony, protesting the keynote speaker, Dr. Kristin Collier, and her support for laws banning abortion.