October 2018 – On August 9, Argentina's Senate rejected (38-31) a bill that would have legalized abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The lower house had already passed the measure, and conservative pro-life President Mauricio Macri had promised to sign it into law.
But the Senate debated for 15 hours while thousands of supporters and opponents watched the debate on large screens outside Congress in heavy rain and cold temperatures.
After the Senate vote failed to legalize elective abortions, police officers were forced to respond with tear gas to groups of pro-abortion protesters throwing firebombs and setting up flaming barricades.
The decision could have significant impact across Latin America, where Argentina has garnered a tremendous amount of influence on social issues. For instance, the Ni Una Menos (Not One Less) movement started in Argentina to combat violence against women. It has has developed into a global phenomenon. And in 2010, Argentina set the tone for Latin America when it legalized same-sex marriage.
