Capital legislators in favor of legalized abortion kicked off an information campaign Sunday, starting off on Paseo de la Reforma where they were joined by supporters who handed out pro-choice literature.The brochures and leaflets explained the proposed modifications to the penal code, which would allow a woman to have an abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Motorists and pedestrians between Avenida Juárez and the National Auditorium were approached by legislators and supporters from the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and the Social Alternative and Convergence parties.
Some of the participating representatives included Tonatiuh González of the PRI, Jorge Díaz Cuervo of the Alternative Party, and Agustín Guerrero, Isaías Villa, Laura Piña, Juan Carlos Beltrán and Elva Garfias from the PRD.
FORMAL COMPLAINT FILED
Just before the campaign began, Mexico City PRD legislator Victor Hugo Círigo announced that he plans to file a formal complaint on Monday with the federal Attorney General´s Office against the Mexican National Guard - an anti-abortion group - for making death threats against him as well as fellow legislators Tonatiuh González and Jorge Carlos Díaz Cuervo.
"They have gone too far by threatening our lives," said Círigo, president of the Federal District Legislative Assembly (ALDF). "The proud fascists are verbally attacking us from the hierarchy of Catholicism and are now threatening us. It´s incredible that these groups can make death threats against legislators so freely and openly to the public. We will not allow it," he said as other legislators chanted "You are not alone!"
Círigo also announced that a proposal will be discussed on April 24 that would clear a woman who had an abortion from any criminal punishment.
The second phase of the information campaign will continue next week where pro-choice supporters will target university students. A radio spot will also air this week.
