On April 5, protestors gathered on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol to protest an emergency bill that effectively banned abortion throughout the state, now known as one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country.

All photos were taken by Karoline Leonard for JMC 3003 at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

a young girl protesting against abortion ban
Standing on the steps of the state capitol, a young protestor joins her family to fight against the restrictive abortion bills moving through Oklahoma legislature. The bill, quickly signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, makes the majority of abortions a felony in the state. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a protestor draws on a sign at the beginning of the rally
As Planned Parenthood calls the rally together, a protestor creates a sign outside of the Oklahoma state capitol. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a protestor chants on steps of the capitol
Holding a banner saying, “Bans Off Our Bodies”, protestors stand on the capitol steps to chant in unison against restrictive abortion bans in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 612 advanced on April 5 and was quickly signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt later that week. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
tamya cox-toure kicks off the beginning of the rally
Kicking off the rally, Tamya Cox-Touré, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union-Oklahoma, announces that the bill was just approved to the crowd. Cox-Touré previously worked as an attorney and lobbyist in the state, and she joined Planned Parenthood of Oklahoma to host the rally. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
an indigenous woman gives a land acknowledgement statement
As the rally comes together, an Indigenous woman gives a land acknowledgement statement before expressing her own feelings regarding the abortion bill, discussing the intersectionality for Native American rights with reproductive rights. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a woman holds a pro-choice sign in front of the capitol
A female protestor lifts above the crowd her picket sign, which urges lawmakers to focus on reproductive rights and the right to privacy. Many protestor expressed their anger about the bill and others like it, especially since public testimony was not allowed. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a couple of protestors listen in the crowd
Listening to directors and nurses from Planned Parenthood speak, two members of the rally stand together, chanting “her body, her choice.” Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a volunteer hands out shirts and flyers
After breaking for lunch, Planned Parenthood hands out shirts and banners for protestors to use outside of the state capitol. The protestors later moved inside to rally in the rotunda in protest of Oklahoma’s restrictions on public testimony for the abortion bill. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
a pro=women, pro=choice poster
Standing amidst the crowd, a protestor holds their sign and shouts alongside other members of the rally. Photo by: Karoline Leonard
protestors on the steps of the capitol
Outside the Oklahoma state capitol, protestors, volunteers and students hold a “hands off our bodies,” begging for state officials to vote against Senate Bill 612. Later, organizers of the event announced the bill had passed. Photo by: Karoline Leonard