In March, videographers from Mother Jones and Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, were observed outside Space Center Houston as Hawkins ordered abortion pills online. This event was part of a profile, documentary, and radio story about Hawkins' role in the anti-abortion movement, which claims to have 1,700 chapters nationwide. Hawkins and a spokesperson aimed to demonstrate the accessibility of abortion pills in Texas, despite stringent laws, to prompt action from officials.
Hawkins is now facing a lawsuit under a 2025 state law she advocated for, which targets abortion providers and advocates. A 26-year-old Texas woman, using the pseudonym Maria Puerto, filed the lawsuit in state court, claiming that the stunt Hawkins staged not only violated the law but also ridiculed Texans who have faced significant challenges due to the state's abortion restrictions. The lawsuit references reporting from Mother Jones and social media posts from Students for Life.
Molly Duane, litigation director of Amplify Legal, representing Puerto, stated that Puerto has had a challenging experience since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, being forced to carry two pregnancies to term. The lawsuit details how Puerto's first pregnancy in 2022 disrupted her education and employment, leading to financial difficulties. Puerto expressed feelings of being deprived of autonomy over her body and family decisions.
The lawsuit seeks $459,782, reflecting the average cost of raising two children in Texas. Students for Life responded to the lawsuit, calling it misplaced while also acknowledging the criticism of their legislative work. Hawkins, in a statement, expressed concern for Puerto's children and criticized the lawsuit. Duane defended Puerto's parenting, stating she is a caring mother.
The 2025 law, HB 7, allows private citizens to sue anyone involved in the distribution of abortion pills in Texas. While individuals who order pills for personal use are exempt from lawsuits, Duane noted that Hawkins and her team likely do not qualify for this exemption. The law received strong support from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and anti-abortion advocates. Duane has previously challenged Texas abortion laws in high-profile cases, including one involving a woman who died after being denied emergency abortion care.