Slideshow: Filibuster Dominates Last Day of Special Session
State Sen. Wendy Davis' hours-long filibuster of a Republican-backed abortion bill spanned the final day of the special session. Here's a look at the drama that played out as protesters from both sides of the debate converged on the Capitol.
State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters Senate Bill 5 on the last day of the special session.
Spectators view the proceedings from the Senate gallery.
Opponents of Senate Bill 5 crowd the Capitol rotunda.
A group of Republican state representatives watch the filibuster in the Senate chamber. From left to right: Rick Miller of Sugar Land, Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake, Steve Toth of The Woodlands, Matt Krause of Fort Worth and Jonathan Stickland of Bedford.
State Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, during the debate on Senate Bill 5.
State Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, along with fellow House members, casts a symbolic vote of support with opponents of Senate Bill 5.
State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, adjusts her back during the debate. The use of a back brace became a point of contention during the debate when Republican colleagues said she'd received help putting it on.
State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, discusses a point of order with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst as other senators look on.
State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, arriving late after her father's funeral, asks questions about the proceedings.
A lively crowd rallies in opposition to Senate Bill 5 in the Capitol.
An opponent of the abortion bill is removed from the Senate gallery.
Democratic senators cast symbolic no votes to Senate Bill 5. From left to right: Rodney Ellis of Houston, Kirk Watson of Austin, Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, Jose Rodriguez of El Paso and Sylvia Garcia of Houston.
State Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, expresses frustration during the debate on Senate Bill 5. Duncan was at the dais in the final minutes of the session, when Republican lawmakers sought to force the vote.
State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, in running shoes after hours of filibustering.
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, talks to reporters after drama erupts on the Senate floor.
Messages of support for state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, in a book outside her office.
Cecile Richards, daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards and president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, shouts with activists in an effort to disrupt the final minutes of the Senate proceedings.
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson asks protesters to quiet and allow legislators to conclude the SB5 decision.
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, address the crowd following the announcement of the defeat of Senate Bill 5.
A protester outside the Capitol early Wednesday morning.
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