- Big Spring and Colorado City passed the Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance.
- They are the ninth and tenth cities in Texas to do so.
- Big Spring is the largest city so far to pass the ordinance, and they have one more procedural vote to finalize the policy.
- This comes in response to Planned Parenthood targeting West Texas.
The city councils of Big Spring, Texas and Colorado City, Texas debated and voted on similar ordinances on January 14, declaring abortion to be murder and preventing the abortion industry from doing business within their cities’ jurisdictions. The ordinances do not penalize women who seek or undergo abortions.
The Colorado City ordinance passed 5-1, and the ordinance in Big Spring passed with a 3-2 vote. These are the ninth and tenth cities in Texas to pass an effective city ordinance, not just a ceremonial Pro-Life resolution, and Big Spring is the biggest town to date to pass the policy. One more procedural vote remains for Big Spring to officially become a Sanctuary City for the Unborn, but tonight’s vote was the biggest hurdle.
The passage of these ordinances in West Texas is particularly timely since Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion business in the nation has confirmed they are looking to expand their physical presence in this part of the state. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas received an anonymous donation of $9 million last year for the explicit purpose of building two West Texas facilities. Also, Planned Parenthood currently has a billboard campaign in Abilene, San Angelo, and other neighboring cities.
The ordinances both unequivocally condemn the United States Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized elective abortion. Local Pro-Life citizens supported the measure because they believe communities across the state and nation should take a stand against the injustice of elective abortion.
Texas is a target for the abortion industry. Other southern states have enacted strong Pro-Life protections for unborn children, while the Texas State Legislature did nothing in their latest legislative session to ban abortions.
In the Big Spring meeting, several pastors and faith leaders spoke in favor of the ordinance. In addition to those from Big Spring, Pro-Life activist and Pastor Stephen Broden prophetically pointed out, “The number one killer of black Americans today is abortion….we represent 12% of the population but more than 40% of abortions committed here.”
Texas Right to Life was proud to be present and to testify in favor of both ordinances. Texas Right to Life Legislative Associate Katherine Pitcher clarified for the Big Spring City Council that:
Roe v. Wade was decided half a century ago, before ultrasounds were common, before anyone truly understood the absolute and unquestionable humanity of the preborn child. You have the opportunity to make a real difference for Life, to protect the lives of your innocent preborn neighbors who are unable to speak for themselves. This is your opportunity, this is your moment, to stand for justice in your own community.
In Colorado City, Rebecca Parma, another Texas Right to Life Legislative Associate, urged the council, “by passing this ordinance you are outlining Pro-Life territory in our state, saving the most innocent and vulnerable among us, and advancing the movement.”
Pro-Life Texans applaud these city councils for their bold defense of Life, and urge other communities across the state to adopt similar measures to protect their unborn residents.