Lubbock in Texas State has a population of 260 000 people. Voters in Lubbock have decided to make it a "sanctuary city for the unborn." They have approved a ban on abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, except when the woman's life is in danger. There is a total of 25 such "sanctuary" cities in Texas. In the last two years, all cities in the state, except two, have banned abortions.
"Texas city bans abortion, allows family to sue providers, helpers. The Lubbock ordinance bans abortion in all cases except when a woman's life is in danger. It also allows any private citizen of Texas and also the family member of any woman who has an abortion to sue the provider or anyone who assisted." [1]
More than 60% of Voters Supported Ban
In Lubbock, the law will stretch further. It will permit any Texas citizen, including the family members of a woman who has an abortion, to sue the clinic or doctor who performs the abortion or anyone who assisted in the process. More than 60% of the votes cast supported the abortion measures, and the law could come into effect in a month.
No Access To Abortion Providers
According to Drucilla Tigner, ACLU of Texas Reproductive Rights and Political Strategist, the other towns in Texas to pass sanctuary city measures have small populations and no access to abortion providers. Lubbock is different that way. It is the main center for medical treatment in West Texas, and these measures are expected to impact the entire region.
Preparing for Counter-Legal measures
The American Civil Liberties Union has said that they are considering counter-legal measures. They have called the Lubbock vote unconstitutional. They have also said that such a law was harmful to women's reproductive health. Nationally a woman's right to have an abortion until the first trimester of pregnancy is protected. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled this in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.
Will Become Part of Local Law
In recent years abortion disputes have increased at local levels, former President Donald Trump. There are movements to overturn Roe v Wade; if it is successful, abortion would no longer be a country-wide federal law but will become part of local law.
One of the catalysts for the sanctuary city ordinance was the West Texas for Life organization headed by Jim Baxa. He was inspired by the success of the measures passed in several towns in East Texas and has fought to get this vote going. Baxa's initial campaigns ended up in rejection when the Lubbock city council unanimously declared that it would violate state and federal law.
West Texas for Life, however, campaigned hard and got sufficient petition signatures to force the matter to go to vote. Baxa aims to get abortions banned in all of Texas. The Texas House will discuss the votes and the measures later this week.
RESOURCES:
Published by: Book Club
Source: NewsService
Release ID: 18089