AUSTIN, Texas — “Shouting Down at Midnight,” a documentary chronicling former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis’ 13-hour filibuster against Senate Bill 5 in 2013, will premiere at SXSW on March 12.
The documentary will be shown at the Rollins Theatre at the Long Center on Saturday. It will be made available worldwide and for online screening Sunday, March 13.
In 2013, Davis, who at the time was a Democratic state senator representing the 10th district, filibustered against SB5, a predecessor to Senate Bill 8.
SB 5, which, despite Davis’ efforts, ultimately passed as House Bill 2, blocks abortions in the state after 20 weeks and also enforces stricter laws on how clinics can be licensed.
Thousands flooded the Capitol while Davis took to the Senate floor in an attempt to block the abortion bill from passing. Davis spent hours reading stories thousands of Texas women had sent in for their voices on abortion to be heard.
The hours-long filibuster drew attention from hundreds of thousands of people nationwide who were present at the Capitol or watching via livestream.