Ban on abortion makes city sanctuary for the unborn

Residents have voted in favour of an ordinance that would outlaw abortion in the city. However, many disagree with the new legislation and the decision is likely to be challenged in court.

WORLD MAY 3. 2021 12:43

While some places have extremely permissive abortion laws and babies can be aborted for almost any reason at all stages until birth, some cities and countries are tightening the rules. This has been the case in the city of Lubbock in Texas, where residents have voted in favour of an ordinance that would completely ban abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

With the new legislation, Lubbock would become a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. Boasting a population of nearly 230 thousand, Lubbock is currently the largest city in the United States to have voted for outlawing abortion. There are several towns in Texas that have already adopted a Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance, but they are far smaller in population.

In line with the ordinance, abortion in Lubbock will be regarded as an act of murder, and anyone aiding or performing an abortion will act unlawfully. There are no exceptions to the rules, even if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. However, the government will not seek to enforce the ordinance that has just been adopted, according to the article published by The Blaze. Instead, it will be up to the residents to initiate lawsuits over the issue.

Many disagree with the ordinance and question the results of the vote, arguing that a general ban on abortion is unconstitutional. Thus, the ordinance is expected to be taken to court and it is unclear when it would enter into force.

The ballot on the ordinance came after Planned Parenthood, a major actor in the abortion industry, had opened its clinic in the city last October. The vote at the weekend was the outcome of a petition launched by residents. 

In America a growing number of states are tightening abortion regulations. In February, South Carolina passed the so-called „heartbeat bill,” which bans abortion if a baby s heart is already beating. The regulation imposes severe restrictions because, in some cases, a foetus s heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks.  

Tennessee s heartbeat law came into effect last year. This year a Republican senator proposed a new legislation that would grant fathers veto powers over the termination of pregnancy. The proposed bill would enable a father to prevent a woman pregnant with his child from getting an abortion. If the woman, however, still decides to abort the baby, she could face sanctions. Senator Mark Prody argues that fathers should have a say in what s going to be happening to their children and enabled to say „no” if somebody is going to kill their babies.

WORLD

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abortion, abortion law, ban, ordinance, protection, sanctuary, texas, unborn children