Texas has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. However, there is growing concern among opponents of abortion rights that women in Texas are traveling to neighboring states, like New Mexico, where new clinics have opened to provide abortion care. As a result, communities across Texas are now considering making it illegal for people to travel on certain roads within their jurisdiction to receive abortion care, according to a report by the Washington Post. The residents of these communities are engaging in heated debates to determine the necessity and potential harm of such legislation.
Odessa and Lubbock are among the jurisdictions considering this strategy, as reported by the Hill. Marion Bishop, the mayor of Llano, who is considering a measure to restrict travel on highways connecting Austin and Round Rock, admitted that the law would have mostly symbolic significance. He stated, “Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it does make a statement.” During a recent City Council meeting, two female members expressed their opposition to abortion while also acknowledging the diversity of beliefs within their community. Kara Gilliland stated, “I’m not for abortions and that’s my personal belief. But I cannot disregard the fact that there are 3,400 other citizens in this town who may not share the same belief as mine.”
Another councilwoman, who is a shop owner, shared her strong dislike for abortion but recalled a time in college when she picked up a friend from an abortion clinic. She pondered the potential consequences if such a restrictive ordinance had been in place back then. She emphasized the importance of considering the lives and experiences of real people, stating, “It’s overreaching. We’re talking about people here.” The council decided to postpone the decision, with activist Mark Lee Dickson remarking, “This is far from over. Let’s show up at their businesses with some signs.” In response, a woman whose husband is a local pastor issued a warning, saying, “I know where Laura works.”
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