A protestor carries a banner reading "The man who doesn't love women" with a picture of Spain's Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, as she marches towards the Spanish Parliament during a protest against government's plan to implement major restrictions on abortions, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. The rally was organized Saturday by dozens of women's groups that fight for reproductive rights.(AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
February 01, 2014 - 7:09 AM
MADRID - Tens of thousands of people have marched to Spain's Parliament to protest the government's new law that aims to restrict abortion, allowing the practice only in cases of rape or serious risk to health.
The rally was organized Saturday by dozens of women's groups and entities that fight for reproductive rights.
Protesters carried banners saying "Allow mothers to decide," and "Mothers and fathers in freedom."
The previous Socialist government made abortion before the 14th week widely legal. But the ruling Popular Party has long sided with the Roman Catholic Church on moral and social issues and made changing the law one of its main promises in the 2011 vote that brought it to power.
The law needs Parliament's approval where the Popular Party has a large majority.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014