Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Leslie Jones criticises Alabama abortion ban on SNL: 'This really is a war on women'

'You can’t tell me what to do with my body'

Jack Shepherd
Sunday 19 May 2019 10:13 BST
Comments
Leslie Jones gives impassioned comedic speech about abortion laws on SNL

While appearing on Saturday Night Live, Leslie Jones criticised the state of Alabama for passing restrictive abortion legislation.

The new law, titled the Human Life Protection Act, will see women who are the victims of incest or rape unable to get abortions. The only exceptions will be when there’s a “serious health risk to the unborn child’s mother” or if the “unborn child has a lethal anomaly”. Doctors who perform the procedure can face up to 10 years in prison.

Jones, dressed as one of the characters in the dystopian show The Handmaid’s Tale, appeared during the “Weekend Update” segment of SNL to criticise the new law.

“We are all handmaids now,” she said. ”My name actually is OfJost. But I don’t know how much of a good babymaker I’m going to be, because my eggs are dusty as hell. But I’ll give it a shot.”

Jones then took off the robe to reveal a shirt with the word “Mine” on it and an arrow pointing down. She then proceeded to speak how the abortion law is only the start of women’s rights being taken away.

“The next thing you know, I’m at Starbucks and they won’t take my credit card because I’m a woman, instead of the regular reason which is I don’t have no money on me,” she said.

Jones then showed a picture of the 25 white, male Alabama State Senators who passed the vote.

“These look like mugshots of everyone arrested at a massage parlour,” Jones said. “Why do all of these weird ass men care what women choose to do with their bodies? I don’t care what you do with your 65-year-old droopy ass balls.”

“When women have a choice, women have freedom,” Jones continued. “The fact that nine states are doing this means this really is a war on women. You can’t tell me what to do with my body.” Watch the full speech below.

The episode of SNL was hosted by Paul Rudd. The show opened with Alec Baldwin spoofing Donald Trump and singing a version of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in