Amarillo Is Considering Its Own Abortion Transport Ban After Lubbock’s Initiative

In Lubbock, commissioners recently voted to introduce a ban on transporting individuals for the purpose of obtaining an abortion, now Amarillo City Council is considering its own transport ban.

The Amarillo City Council is set to consider its own transport ban, which could lead to a future council or city-wide vote. Both Lubbock and Amarillo are situated along major highways connecting Texas to New Mexico, where abortion is legal.

Supporters of these transport bans argue that they aim to strengthen Texas’ existing abortion ban, which enables private citizens to sue anyone who provides or “aids or abets” an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

According to Reuters, the greater impact of these ordinances seems to be their effect on galvanizing voters and pushing political agendas, particularly in an election year where abortion remains a contentious issue.

The campaign to ban abortion-related transport in Texas was initiated by Mark Lee Dickson, a Christian pastor, who has been advocating for communities to declare themselves “sanctuary cities for the unborn” since 2019.

These bans have ignited fresh shows of support for abortion rights, as reproductive rights advocates organize to oppose the restrictions. Abortion rights supporters are gearing up for increased political participation, setting the stage for a contentious battle in the lead-up to the next presidential election.