Located in the high plains of northern Texas, the city of Amarillo has 200,000 inhabitants and is crossed by several highways which connect New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas, American states where the voluntary interruption of pregnancy (IVG) remains legal. These roads are now at the heart of a controversy, with anti-abortion activists calling for them to be banned for women seeking abortions.
“Sanctuary city”
“ You will no longer be able to use our highways to get an abortion said Amarillo resident Jana May. The measure, described as “ extremist » by many, has gained popularity among ultra-conservative American circles. Mark Lee Dickson, pastor and founder of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn. Usually used in progressive municipalities to signify the protection of illegal migrants, the “sanctuary city” formula is now being used by conservatives seeking to further restrict access to abortion.
“There are unborn children who are unwillingly transported across states to be murdered », Continues Mark Lee Dickson. According to him, 70 localities across the country have become sanctuaries. Among them, most do not have more than 500 inhabitants. Since the annulment in 2022 by the Supreme Court of the constitutional guarantee of the right to abortion, states have regained complete latitude on the issue, giving rise to a patchwork of legislation. Around twenty have thus banned or severely restricted access to abortion. This is the case in Texas, including in cases of incest or rape.
“It’s very scary”
But for Mark Lee Dickson, this is still not enough, because it is still possible to carry out an abortion elsewhere. Around ten Texas jurisdictions have therefore passed bans on travel for abortion. “ It’s very scary “, confides Harper Metcalf, member of the Alliance for Reproductive Rights Freedom of Amarillo, denouncing the action of “ religious extremists “. The measure being promoted would allow anyone to file a complaint against a person transporting a pregnant woman seeking an abortion. However, it is difficult to imagine the implementation of such a law, which would undermine the freedom of movement of Americans.
“ These ordinances were not made to be enforced. They are intended to sow confusion and create fear and uncertainty, so that people avoid turning to neighbors and friends when they need help. », Estimates Harper Metcalf. Last month, the City Council reviewed the measure and requested it be reworded, with a view to future reconsideration. Mayor Cole Stanley, who nevertheless claims to be anti-abortion, admitted to finding it “ inapplicable ” as is. “ This will lead to legal action. “, he warned.
Presidential elections
As the November presidential election approaches, the question of abortion remains one of the central issues of the vote. In this context, the adoption of such bans raises questions; and even among the Republicans, worried about the electoral cost of these measures. Because since the Supreme Court’s reversal, conservatives have lost every referendum addressing the issue of abortion at the state level.
