‘In some cases women are going to die’: Pink House Defenders fight to save Mississippi’s last abortion clinic

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Shannon Brewer is director of Jackson Women’s Health Organisation – the only clinic in the state to offer abortions The owner of the Pink House sued the state and the law was subsequently put on hold by an appeals court. open image in gallery A ‘pro-life’ activist waits for patients to arrive outside the Jackson Women’s Health Organisation On a recent morning, as around half a dozen women appeared at the clinic for appointments with doctors – who are all from out of state and have to fly in – the dialogue between the protesters and the defenders went something Protester: “Don’t murder!” Defender: “Shut up!” Protester: “Don’t murder!” Defender: “Don’t be an idiot!” The volunteers say that in the weeks since the draft of the Roe decision was leaked, they have seen an uptick in out-of-town protesters apparently keen to snap selfies outside the Pink House before it is gone for ever. As it is, they tend to recognise their regular protesters, greeting several by name, and dividing them up into three groups: the street preachers, who often come with loudhailers; abolitionists, who tend to be men and believe abortion should be illegal without exception, and that women should be sent to jail; and “pro-life” incrementalists, who don’t shout at the patients, but rather try to persuade them not to have abortions by encouraging them to join their church and to ask for help for their new babies if they need it. open image in gallery Anti-abortion activist Laura Duran, of Pro-Life Mississippi, urges struggling women to ask for help to provide for their babies Her giveaway bags contain flyers for a local “Pregnancy Centre” that counsels women not to have abortions, a sheet of abortion myth-busters and a packet of potato chips.