AUSTIN — Women dressed like the characters from Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" marched their way through the Texas State Capitol before arriving at the Texas Governor's Mansion Saturday afternoon.
The women, who are members of Texas Handmaids -- a reproductive justice organization with chapters across the state -- held up signs and sang songs, demanding Gov. Greg Abbott move quickly to address the state's high maternal mortality rates.
"We're calling on Governor Abbott today, if he is really pro-life, to protect the lives of Texas women and Texas mothers," organizer Stephanie Martin told KVUE.
A study published in the journal "Obstetrics & Gynecology" in April 2018 found there were 56 maternal deaths among Texas residents in 2012 -- 91 fewer deaths than previously reported.
"We're concerned that because that reporting error was found that the legislature and Gov. Abbott will be comfortable pushing this issue off on the back burner," Martin said. "And we're here to let him know we're not dropping the issue."
Some of the organization's demands of Abbott, Martin said, include completing a detailed case review of all maternal mortalities in Texas beyond 2012, implement all Maternity Mortality Task Force recommendations, and expand Medicaid.
"If you are pro-life, walk the talk," Martin said. "Be there for Texas mothers and Texas women."
Gov. Abbott's office was not given prior notification of the protest, according to Martin.