Last June, tiny Waskom, Texas, just over the border from Shreveport, Louisiana, made the news when it became the first town in the state to become a "sanctuary city for the unborn" by passing an ordinance outlawing abortion clinics from setting up shop.
Since then several other cities in the Lone Star State have followed suit.
An anti-abortion group called Right to Life of East Texas is behind the effort. A representative travels to city council meetings and presents the group's case.
Now, cities can't unilaterally ban abortion clinics as long as Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land. The nation's highest court also ruled in Planned Parenthood v. Casey that regulations cannot place an "undue burden" on women seeking abortions.
But should Roe ever be overturned, the group says the ordinances would have full legal effect, just as cities regulate other legal activities. Opponents aren't so sure. Even the Texas Alliance for Life says ordinances could hurt rather than help the pro-life movement, as it's quite possible at least some of these "sanctuary cities" may find themselves in court trying to defend the bans.
We don't know if Right to Life of East Texas has plans to pitch our own City Council on this idea, but if so the council should listen politely and then vote no.
We are pro-life and we know many in the city are as well, but this is just grandstanding, nothing more. And it could eventually come at considerable legal cost. We can wait until some other city spends the cash to clear the way.