New Mexico town delays banning abortion

CLOVIS, New Mexico, Nov 3 (Reuters) – The town fee of Clovis on Thursday delay a vote on an ordinance designed to ban abortions inside 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 turn into the primary city to cross a so-called “sanctuary metropolis for the unborn” ordinance in a state managed by the Democratic Get together, 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 might be a spot that might serve individuals 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 need to ban abortions, however seven voted to delay till they might excellent the language to higher shield towards litigation.

Mayor Mike Morris, who led the assembly, reaffirmed that he’s anti-abortion, that he desires to see an ordinance cross and that he “doesn’t need to see Clovis turn 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 pressure behind Texas’ 2021 “heartbeat” abortion regulation.

Mitchell participated within the metropolis fee assembly by cellphone. He mentioned the ordinance was primarily based on federal regulation that ought to trump state legal guidelines. However he acknowledged there might be profit in delaying a last 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 towards state regulation defending the best 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 opportunity of Clovis banning abortions.

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

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

“However we all know there may be nonetheless a struggle forward,” she mentioned.

Reporting by Brad Brooks in Clovis, New Mexico; Extra reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt aboard Air Pressure One; enhancing by Donna Bryson, Aurora Ellis and Gerry Doyle

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.