In the latest episode of “Lubbock makes national news for the worst reasons,” voters passed an ordinance banning abortion in the city and proudly slapped on the title Sanctuary City for the Unborn. With 62% of voters on board, the measure ignored the fact that both the city council and a hired law firm had already said, “Yeah, this is unconstitutional.” But when has Lubbock ever let legality get in the way of making a point?
Planned Parenthood, which opened a health center here in 2020 to serve low-income women in the region, is now suing the city. Their lawsuit argues the ban violates Roe v. Wade, conflicts with Texas law, and creates an absurd civil liability system where basically anyone in Texas can sue if they think you “aided or abetted” an abortion. Oh, and you can’t even use the patient’s consent as a defense. Because nothing says “freedom” like deputizing your nosy neighbor to police your medical choices.
The city council originally rejected the ordinance unanimously, but state senator Charles Perry and his crew pushed it onto the ballot, where it passed. Now Lubbock is looking at becoming a test case for how far local governments can go in undermining federal protections. Meanwhile, women in the region just lost access to the only licensed abortion provider within 300 miles.
Planned Parenthood says the ban is a clear Fourteenth Amendment violation and has asked the courts to block it. The city, naturally, had no immediate comment — probably because they’re busy basking in the glow of being the national poster child for overreach.
Only in Lubbock can “sanctuary” mean protecting fetuses while throwing women’s rights straight in the dumpster fire.
