It was supposed to be just another graduation speech when Paxton Smith got up to deliver her speech, which was supposed to be about TV media and content. However, the high school valedictorian decided to produce a completely different speech, which was against the controversial texas abortion ban law. “I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights," said Paxton during her Lake Highlands High School graduation speech. The video of the speech has since gone viral.

Paxton said, “In light of recent events, it feels wrong to talk about anything but what is currently affecting me and millions of other women in this state. Starting in September, there will be a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, regardless of whether the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest."

According to CNN, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an abortion bill into law that prohibits most abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected The heartbeat can occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy and before many people know they are even pregnant.

Although Paxton was a little hesitant to change her speech, she could not let go off of such a big platform. She told CNN, “I was definitely going back and forth with myself because I fully anticipated that if I made the speech, there would be some negative repercussions socially. I thought that graduation was the only place where I was going to reach such a large audience and a group with so many different opinions and backgrounds that I was going to be able to make a speech like that."

High School Student Slams Texas Abortion Ban Law During Graduation Speech, Watch Viral Video

Paxton Smith was supposed to give a speech on TV media and content during her Lake Highlands High School graduation speech.