New Mexico city delays banning abortion By Reuters

By Brad Brooks

CLOVIS, New Mexico (Reuters) – The town fee of Clovis on Thursday delay a vote on an ordinance designed to ban abortions throughout the New Mexico city close to the Texas border, fearing challenges to the transfer in a state the place the process stays authorized.

Clovis was set to change into the primary city to move a so-called “sanctuary metropolis for the unborn” ordinance in a state managed by the Democratic Social gathering, based on anti-abortion advocates, who say it’s a part of a nationwide push into “blue” states.

Clovis doesn’t have an abortion clinic, however may very well be a spot that might serve folks from Republican-controlled Texas, to the east. Texas was one of many first states to impose a near-total ban on abortion and suppliers can resist life in jail there.

On Monday, town fee of the close by city of Hobbs is anticipated to take up an analogous measure. Each Clovis and Hobbs are in conservative jap New Mexico. Hobbs additionally doesn’t have an abortion clinic.

Thursday, all eight members of the Clovis fee mentioned they wish to ban abortions, however seven voted to delay till they might excellent the language to raised shield in opposition to litigation.

Mayor Mike Morris, who led the assembly, reaffirmed that he’s anti-abortion, that he needs to see an ordinance move and that he “doesn’t wish to see Clovis change into a vacation spot for abortions.” However he mentioned extra work was wanted on the proposed measure.

The architect of the ordinance is Jonathan Mitchell, a conservative Texas lawyer who was the driving power behind Texas’ 2021 “heartbeat” abortion legislation.

Mitchell participated within the metropolis fee assembly by telephone. He mentioned the ordinance was primarily based on federal legislation that ought to trump state legal guidelines. However he acknowledged there may very well be profit in delaying a remaining vote, if solely to see what new abortion rights laws New Mexico lawmakers could draft of their subsequent session, which begins in January, and alter town ordinance to fight it.

The workplace of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham advised Reuters that the ordinance is clearly in opposition to state legislation defending the fitting to an abortion, and that it’s an affront to the rights and autonomy of all ladies within the area.

President Joe Biden visited New Mexico on Thursday, and White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was requested about the potential of Clovis banning abortions.

“Now we have been very clear about what MAGA excessive Republicans are attempting to do in the case of a lady’s rights to decide on,” she mentioned. “They’re making an attempt to take that away, clearly, and in essentially the most excessive methods. What it is doing is it is placing ladies — ladies and women’ lives in danger.”

Mark Lee Dickson, a pastor from Texas, is the architect of the “sanctuary metropolis” motion, which has seen over 50 cities undertake anti-abortion measures in Texas and different conservative states.

He was kicked out of Tuesday’s assembly in Clovis by the mayor after yelling “I am going to pay for it!” in response to commissioners’ worries in regards to the metropolis being sued over the ordinance. He mentioned the choice to delay was a blow, however that he would proceed the combat in Clovis.

Laura Wight, a Clovis resident serving to lead Jap New Mexico Rising, a progressive group against ordinance, welcomed the delay.

“However we all know there’s nonetheless a combat forward,” she mentioned.