Protesters take stand against NC abortion bill in Cornelius

CORNELIUS, N.C. — The fight over North Carolina's new abortion bill came to a stand in Cornelius.

Protesters tried to pressure Gov. Pat McCrory to veto the bill.

"We are now losing abortion access for women who need access to health care," protester Karen Parker said.

The North Carolina Senate passed the bill Thursday, and some say if the governor signs it he will break a campaign promise.

He said he would not support any restrictions on abortions in the state.

In a statement, Progress N.C. said Friday, "You cannot honestly claim this bill will not limit access, when it clearly limits insurance coverage of women's health care."

"The new bill does not restrict access," McCrory said.

In a one-on-one interview with Eyewitness News Friday, McCrory shot down those claims, calling the bill a "pragmatic solution."

"It protects women. Especially from a clinic in Charlotte that's been closed down from doing some very bad procedures," McCrory said. "And it does not restrict access."

The bill would restrict those seeking an abortion based on the sex of the child, limit abortions in health insurance plans by city or county employees except in cases of rape and require that abortion clinics follow the same standards as outpatient surgery centers.

Protesters in Cornelius said they just hope the governor reconsiders.

"We are sliding backwards," Parker said.

WSOC