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American student Paxton Smith canceled the graduation speech approved by his school administrators and instead called for abortion rights in a message that has since gone viral on social media.
Smith, the 2021 validator of Lake Highlands High School in Texas, USA, gave a talk to school officials on the impact of the media on young minds.
But when she spoke at the graduation ceremony on Sunday, she addressed what she called a “war on the rights” of her body and that of other girls and women. invoice”The law was signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott late last month.
“I can’t refuse this platform to promote peace and quiet when there is a war on my body and my rights. A war on your mother’s rights, a war on your sisters ‘rights, a war on your daughters’ rights. We cannot remain silent,” he told his class.
The new law prohibits, without exception, the possibility of any abortion being detected after the first heartbeat. This could happen within six weeks of conception, without many women knowing they are pregnant.
The law also allows a $ 10,000 abortion provider or anyone who helped abort an abortion.
The law will come into force on September 1, however federal courts for the most part states have blocked the implementation of similar measures. Proponents of abortion rights hope to challenge the law, arguing that the measure is, in fact, a complete ban on abortion.
“I have dreams, hopes and ambitions that all the girls who graduate today do,” Smith said. “We have spent our whole lives working for our future, and without our contribution and without our permission, we have been stripped of control over that future.”
Although the bill makes an exception for medical emergencies, it does not exclude pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
“I am afraid that if my contraceptives fail, I am afraid that if they rape me, my hopes and desires and my dreams and efforts for the future will no longer be important,” Smith said.
“I hope you feel it,” he said, “I hope you feel humanized, that your autonomy over your body is removed from you.”
Paxton, thank you for having the courage of your convictions and for not accepting Texas to inspire injustice as a price for participating in civic life.
Let us all use our place to fight for what we believe is right in this democracy and to follow your example! https://t.co/PS3ZR80Gl7
– Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 2, 2021
Smith, who plans to study the music business at the University of Texas at Austin, said Wednesday that he presented his original speech to school officials and was trying to finish the end-of-year project in the school’s music room. he decided to cancel that conference.
“It simply came to our notice then. My mind kept walking to the “heartbeat bill” and what did it mean. So I started making some notes, ”he told The Associated Press news agency.
Smith said he expected the microphone to be cut off or his diploma removed – it didn’t happen. He also said he was impressed with the response to his message.
“I thought he was going to die right there,” he said. But the audience saw tears in the middle of the speech.
This took the guts out. Thank you for not being silent, Paxton. https://t.co/DlwEgmMRGN
– Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 2, 2021
And in recent days, he has posted and posted videos of his address on social media, congratulated comedian Sarah Silverman, “Brave,” and tweeted former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton: “This took a toll. Thank you for not being silent, Paxton. “.
Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke wrote this tweet: “Paxton, thank you for your courage in your convictions and for inspiring Texas to refuse to accept injustice as a price for participating in citizen life.”
Not so enthusiastic was the Richard High School Independent District, which forms the Lake Highlands. In a statement, he said he will review student speech protocols ahead of next year’s graduation ceremonies.
“The content of each student’s speaker message is a private voluntary statement from each student and does not reflect the support, protection, attitude or statement of the District or its staff,” he said.
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