The AP has been covering the protests in Turkey the largest in that country’s recent history-over the government’s plan to ban legalized abortions after four weeks.

Currently, the law allows for abortions up to 10 weeks, and according to the news report, the change is the result of its prime minister who holds strong feelings about abortion for several reasons. On a religious level, he considers it murder.

For political reasons, he considers it damaging to the Turkish grip on the country, which finds itself in constant and bitter battle with the Kurds in the southeast. The Kurds populate that portion of the country and have been fighting for autonomy.

The prime minister’s belief is by increasing the population of Turks, it will shift the balance of power.

But those who showed up in Istanbul on Sunday to protest clearly don’t care to be used as political pawns. Carrying signs, “my body my choice,” thousands of women protested the expected changes, fearing they will lead to a virtual ban of abortion in the near future.