Fight erupts over abortion limits in Virginia

Gov. McDonnell signed into law a bill that will require women to undergo ultrasounds before they have abortions. It will go into effect July 1.

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March 3, 2012

Hundreds protest outside the Virginia Capitol in Richmond. Thirty-one protesters were arrested after they refused to leave the steps of the state Capitol during a rally to oppose legislation curbing abortion rights.

Eva Russo / AP

March 3, 2012

Police speak to one of the protesters.

Eva Russo / AP

March 3, 2012

A protester is removed from the front steps of the Virginia Capitol.

Eva Russo / AP

March 3, 2012

Virginia State Police stand by as protesters are removed from the front steps of the state Capitol in Richmond.

Eva Russo / AP

March 3, 2012

Donna Haynes, of Mechanicsville, Va., gets emotional at the rally.

Eva Russo / AP

State Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) looks at the vote tally board. “Very rarely do I get angry, but I am angry about this bill,’’ <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/va-senate-approves-contentious-ultrasound-bill/2012/02/27/gIQAvhiVgR_story.html'>she said</a>. “It reflects an attitude that is demeaning to women. It presumes the legislature — which as we look around is virtually all male — knows better what should happen to a woman’s body than the woman herself and her physician.’’

Feb. 28, 2012

State Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) looks at the vote tally board. “Very rarely do I get angry, but I am angry about this bill,’’ she said. “It reflects an attitude that is demeaning to women. It presumes the legislature — which as we look around is virtually all male — knows better what should happen to a woman’s body than the woman herself and her physician.’’

Steve Helber / AP

Feb. 28, 2012

The 21 to 19 vote in the Virginia Senate came down mostly along party lines.

Steve Helber / AP

“Women who want to have abortions will go to back alleys. Women will die,’’ Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/va-senate-approves-contentious-ultrasound-bill/2012/02/27/gIQAvhiVgR_story.html?hpid=z4'>told her colleagues</a>. “They are not going to let you tell them what to do with their bodies.”

Feb. 28, 2012

“Women who want to have abortions will go to back alleys. Women will die,’’ Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) told her colleagues. “They are not going to let you tell them what to do with their bodies.”

Steve Helber / AP

Feb. 20, 2012

Protesters line Ninth Street in front of the state Capitol in Richmond. About 1,200 people locked arms and stood mute to protest anti-abortion legislation coursing through the 2012 General Assembly.

Bob Brown / Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP

Feb. 20, 2012

After the massive protest and a spate of unfavorable media coverage, Virginia officials backed off a proposal that would require women to undergo vaginal ultrasounds before getting an abortion. But state lawmakers approved a toned-down version of the bill, which would require external ultrasounds.

Bob Brown / Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP

Feb. 20, 2012

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) addresses a group of protesters at the Bell Tower in Richmond's Capitol Square.

Bob Brown / Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP

Feb. 20, 2012

At the silent protest, activists wear their message on their hats and hand-decorated T-shirts.

Bob Brown / Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP

Feb. 14, 2012

Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell) introduced the bill in the House of Delegates.

Steve Helber / AP

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, shown during an address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in the District last year, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/mcdonnell-walks-fine-line-with-conservative-general-assembly/2012/02/08/gIQAakUjaR_story.html'>walked a fine line</a> with the conservative General Assembly. He has often met with Republican legislative officials, cautioning them to exercise restraint, but not all lawmakers have followed his wishes.

April 27, 2011

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, shown during an address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in the District last year, walked a fine line with the conservative General Assembly. He has often met with Republican legislative officials, cautioning them to exercise restraint, but not all lawmakers have followed his wishes.

Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

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