Tenaha passes ordinance outlawing abortion in their town; Gilmer to discuss ordinance Tuesday

GILMER, Texas (KLTV) - At least two East Texas cities this week are discussing joining a growing list of those banning abortion within their city limits.

Tenaha and Gilmer discussed becoming sanctuaries for the unborn. According to the director of East Texas Right to Life, that measure was passed on Monday night in Teneha.

The director of the East Texas Right to Life organization behind the effort, Mark Lee Dickson, says he is determined to see the ordinance passed in every Texas town.

“This is not a political game, this is not just, we are going to say we are pro-life and not vote like it, this is an opportunity for the city council of Gilmer to not just say there are pro-life, but actually be pro-life by passing an ordinance,” Dickson says.

Dickson says the goal of his organization is for all Texas cities to enact similar ordinances, outlawing abortion.

“Those are human beings, just as human as me and you, and all we are saying here is in our cities, we do not want those kids to be killed,” Dickson says.

City councils across East Texas have voted to become sanctuary cities for the unborn, despite there not being a single abortion provider within their city limits.

East Texas attorney Blake Bailey says if a city enacts the anti-abortion ordinance, they open themselves to a court challenge, and he questions how it will be enforced.

Bailey says that if Gilmer decides to pass this ordinance in their city, are they are breaking a constitutional law.

"It would be wrong to find someone guilty and punish them for something that has been determined by the united states supreme court to be legal," Bailey says.

Tenaha city council discussed the ordinance tonight, while Gilmer will take up the issue Tuesday evening.

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