It was two in the morning in the Argentinian winter in 2018, and rain poured down upon the tens of thousands of protesters. Large projectors showed the senators as they debated long into the night, a debate that had meant to end in the mid-afternoon. The argument: the depenalization of abortion, which in turn meant its acceptance as a medical practice. Yet, the current scene in America on abortion is very different and, ultimately, a hopeful one.
The Plaza del Congreso, where Argentinian representatives meet, spans about 7.5 acres. Protesters for both the pro-life and pro-choice causes packed into the space and sprawled outward through the blocks beyond. Defined by the color of the handkerchiefs they wore, sky-blue for the pro-lifers and green for the pro-choicers, they were divided in two by heavy barricades and watchful guards. Exhaustion seemed to set upon all, for many protesters had spent the previous night keeping vigil and had now spent almost 30 hours exposed to the elements.
After such a long period of discourse, the senators’ voting seemed abrupt. The electronic voting system gave an instant result: 31 had voted in favor of the depenalization, and 38 voted against. Abortion remained illegal in Argentina.
Disbelief shook both sides. The “Blue Handkerchiefs,” as they were called, celebrated ecstatically. The “Green Handkerchiefs” remained in silence for some moments. It was not long, however, before a chant arose amongst them: “Será ley!”
“It will be law.”
In spite of the temporary setback, a feeling of inevitability with respect to abortion loomed over Argentina. I remember hearing people of both persuasions admitting to a rapid and widespread change of opinion regarding abortion, with the pro-choice cause finding new allies almost daily among celebrities, the upper classes, businessmen, and politicians. It did not take long for new elections and legislation lead to the legalization of abortion, which passed in 2020.
The Argentinian scene seems to oppose the current state of abortion politics in the United States. For the crowds at the Washington, D.C., March for Life this year, the spirit was anything but pessimistic. Many of the protestors, some of whom have attended the March for years or decades, seem convinced that this “could be the year,” the last time they will protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
Though the March for Life retained many of its staples–Catholic and Orthodox bishops invoking God and calling down his blessing, a mother who regretted her abortion, an adult child who had nearly been aborted but now has proven a gift to society, a pastor recalling the regrets that many have felt due to abortion–a special and a peculiar hope, a hope that once seemed forbidden, dominated the narrative.
The change of attitude is stark, and merits our attention. As informed citizens, we ought to contemplate the possibility of an “abortion rollback,” and recognize how such a thing can impact our local communities, which is ultimately where we can be the most effective.
