Portland City Council, Oregon, plans to vote Wednesday on a proposal to ban doing business with the state of Texas following controversial new abortion restrictions enacted in The Lone Star State.
In a statement last week, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) said the city council will vote on whether to ban trade in goods and services with Texas and business travel by state employees as well, citing the abortion law that prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected and allows private citizens to sue anyone they believe has helped a woman violate the boundaries.
“This law shows no concern for the health, safety and well-being of people who may become pregnant. This law does not recognize or show respect for the human rights of people who may become pregnant,” Wheeler said in a statement. “This law rewards individuals for exercising surveillance and control over other people’s bodies. It violates the separation of church and state. It will force people to become pregnant against their will.”
“Portland City Council is on the side of people who may one day make difficult decisions about pregnancy and we respect their right to make the best decision for themselves.”
The relocation of the northwestern city comes as Texas has faced considerable backlash over the new law, which went into effect Wednesday.
The legislation, which was signed by Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R), effectively banned almost all abortions for about six weeks until a woman’s pregnancy, when heartbeats can usually be detected.
Last week, the Supreme Court refused to block the law in a 5-4 vote.