Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – The Lake Highlands High School valedictorian scrapped a speech approved by her school administrators and delivered an abortion rights call in its place.
Paxton Smith submitted a speech to school officials that addressed the effect of the media on young minds. instead, she spoke at Sunday’s graduation ceremony of what she called “a war on the rights” of her body and those of other girls and women by the “heartbeat bill” signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
The law forbids, without exception, any abortion after a heartbeat is detected.
In her 3-minute speech, Smith said, among other things, “I am terrified that if my contraceptive fail; I am raped that my hopes and aspirations, efforts and dreams for my future will no longer matter.” Speaking on behalf of herself and other girls and women, Smith added, “because a decision that will affect the rest of their lives was made by a stranger.”
Watch the full speech, obtained by our media partner WFAA:
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(Copyright 2021 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from WFAA).
