Austin was abuzz with orange again Monday, but it wasn't for the usual University of Texas football game.
Thousands of people from across Texas convened at the south capitol steps on the first day of the second Special Legislative Session. Men and women of all ages dressed in orange to show their support for Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) and to "Stand with Texas Women."
Although there were a few pro-life protestors in the mix, the majority of the crown were protesting abortion legislation that had ben blocked by Davis' 11-hour filibuster last week on the last day of the first 83rd Legislative Special Session.
Determined to press the issue, Governor Rick Perry called a second special session to once again address abortion regulation, along with criminal justice legislation and transportation legislation that also did not get heard the first time around.
Still on the table is legislation that would ban abortions for Texas women after 20 weeks and a mandate that all abortion clinics upgrade to ambulatory surgical center standards of care, which could close all but five of the state's abortion facilities.
The rally started off with a performance from Bright Light Social Hour. Former Dixie Chick Natalie Maines played "Not Ready to Make Nice." Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood and Ilse Hogue from NARAL Pro-Choice America warmed up the crown for the main event: Senator Wendy Davis.
"You were at the crux of a turning point in Texas history,” Davis said to the crowd. "A great number of us have felt discouraged about the current state of affairs here... Some of us have felt mad. Today is different, though. Don't you feel it? We feel hope."