Dueling Rallies at Capitol Tonight

Dueling rallies, connected to the sweeping abortion regulations bill being heard today in a Senate committee, are slated to take place tonight at the Capitol.

Anti-choice bill supporters are planning a rally on the South Steps starting at 7 pm tonight in an effort to demonstrate how "pro-life Texans engage in activity to petition our government – with dignity and respect," as Steve Munisteri, chair of the Republican Party of Texas, put it in an email blast last week. (Reportedly joining the event – in addition to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick Perry – will be former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.)

Meanwhile, foes of the sweeping regulations, are planning to meet at the South Gate of the Capitol at 8 pm for a march down Congress Avenue. "Make it known that we will not stand for a flawed system that prematurely pushes legislation to a vote without following due process, especially when it violates a fundamental and constitutional right," march organizer Kristian Caballero wrote on a Facebook page promoting the event.

The measure will be the subject of a hearing today, starting at 10 am, in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Streaming video of the hearing can be found here, at the bottom of the Texas Senate's live broadcasts page.