Thread by @mollyhf

I went up to Kansas to talk to folks at Trust Women clinic about the Texas abortion ban - including a woman who had to travel overnight. latimes.com/world-nation/s…

2/I also spoke with protesters outside the Wichita clinic who said they were encouraged by the Texas abortion ban.

3/“They told us to get ready because people are going to come from south and all over to get here,” said Joseph Elmore, 73, who was protesting outside the Kansas clinic.

4/Ashley Brink, director of the Wichita clinic, said they’re adding staff, supplies and renovating to serve more women from surrounding states.

5/The poster shows plants traditionally used to induce abortions.

6/Papaya is among plants traditionally used to induce abortions, and doctors also use it to train to perform them. The Wichita clinic director also has a papaya tattoo.

7/Ashley Brink, the Wichita abortion clinic director, talked about how she thinks abortion should be treated like any other medical procedure, without legal hurdles or shame. She wears abortion necklaces and has a sign in her office that sums up her view.

8/The “abortion desert” around #Texas is expanding. Here’s a map:

9/I also visited Trust Women abortion clinic last year to talk to Texas patients who had to travel due to bans there and in OK: latimes.com/world-nation/s…

10/And I talked to women at the Wichita clinic in 2016 when Texas laws meant they had to travel: latimes.com/nation/la-na-a…

11/What does the #Texas #AbortionBan mean for migrant women? Those along the border can’t travel north through @CBP checkpoints. In 2016, I visited Whole Woman’s Health, the only clinic in #RGV - and crossed to Mexico to ask about buying abortion meds. latimes.com/nation/la-na-b…

12/More to come on our @latimes podcast, where you’ll hear from all sides included in our story. Value our on the ground, inclusive coverage? Please subscribe!