PHOTOS: South Carolina constituents gather to share testimony, protest at S.B. 323 hearing

On Oct. 1, 2025, Senate Bill 323, also known as the "Unborn Child Protection Act," was heard by the SC Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee. Outside the hearing, a rally of people, including the organizations Planned Parenthood and the South Carolina ACLU, protested the bill. The bill would ban abortions after six weeks and impose severe punishments for those who carry out or aid those in receiving an abortion.

A lone protester sits on the steps of the SC Statehouse during a rally against S.B. 323 outside the Gressette Building on Oct.. 1, 2025. Both Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of SC, alongside several other pro-choice organizations, came together to oppose the "Unborn Child Protection Act," which bans abortions after six weeks and imposes new restrictions on abortion.

A woman smiles while sitting on the lawn of the Statehouse during a protest against a proposed abortion bill on Oct. 1, 2025. Public commentary lasted from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m., and a line formed outside the Gressette Building where the hearing took place.

People wait in line to speak in front of the Senate Subcommittee of the Medical Affairs Committee about Senate Bill 323 at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025. If approved by the committee, the bill would still need to go through the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor to become law.

Two women take a photo together while holding up a pink sign reading "ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE" during a protest against S.B. 323 on the lawn of the SC State House on Oct. 1, 2025. In addition to banning abortion after six weeks, the bill would also make abortion a felony equivalent to “the homicide of a person born alive."

A collection of signs in support of abortion rights lie on the ground at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025.

Protestors against Senate Bill 323 wave signs supporting legal abortion at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025. They are dressed as Handmaids from Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel "The Handmaid’s Tale."

Planned Parenthood volunteer Shaterica Neal chants into a megaphone during a protest outside Gressette Building against S.B. 323 on Oct. 1, 2025. Planned Parenthood was one of many organizations who rallied against the new abortion ban bill.

A volunteer with the American Civil Liberties Union hands out snacks to people waiting in line to speak at the public hearing for S.B. 323 at Gressette Building on Oct. 1, 2025. According to the ACLU, the bill would open the door to restrictions on in vitro fertilization by defining a “human embryo” as a fertilized egg or zygote

A woman speaks at the podium during the public hearing for S.B. 323 at Gressette Building on Oct. 1, 2025. People from all over South Carolina came to voice both their support and opoosition for the bill.

A protestor against Senate Bill 323 holds a sign that says “WE WONT GO BACK” at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025. Senate Bill 323 includes a total ban on abortion and would redefine the legal meaning of contraception.

A man holds a sign reading "SB 323 VOTE HELL NO" at a rally against S.B. 323 on the lawn of the SC State House on Oct. 1, 2025. Columbia residents and people from all over South Carolina came to Columbia to either oppose or endorse the bill in a public hearing.

Protestors against Senate Bill 323 wave signs in support of abortion rights at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025. Their signs also voice support for the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

A woman shouts while waiting in line for the public hearing at Gressette Building on S.B. 323 on Oct. 1, 2025. The "Unborn Child Protection Act," sponsored by three republican state senators, would ban abortions after six weeks and make abortion a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

A woman holds up a sign reading "I SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS" outside the Gressette Building during a public hearing on S.B 323 on Oct. 1, 2025. Many residents from across South Carolina came together to both rally outside and provide public commentary on the proposed 6-week abortion ban.

A group of state senators stand in line together during a public hearing on S.B. 323 at Gressette Building on Oct. 1, 2025. The bill was heard by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee's subcommittee.

Protestors in support of abortion rights surround a small group of counter-protestors who are for the outlawing of abortion at the South Carolina State Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025.