The city of Portland announced its intention to ban trade and travel to the state of Texas in response to the state’s new abortion law.
Mayor Wheeler announced Friday that the city council intends to vote on an emergency resolution Wednesday to halt “the future acquisition of the city’s goods and services and the business travel of city employees in the state of Texas “.
The resolution will remain in effect until the state of Texas terminates the law or is revoked. It is not clear what this ban would look like.
“Currently, the city’s legal adviser is evaluating the legal aspects of this proposed resolution,” a city council statement said.
“Portland City Council is united in its belief that all people should have the right to choose whether they are pregnant and when the decisions they make are complex, difficult and unique to their circumstances.”
The new law, SB8, was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May and went into effect last week after the Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
It prohibits all abortions once the heartbeat of the fetus is detected, which usually occurs about six weeks after conception and before most women are aware that they are pregnant.
Additionally and uniquely, the law allows private residents to initiate legal action against anyone who helped terminate the pregnancy, including those who drive a woman to the appointment to have an abortion. Citizens who win these lawsuits may be entitled to at least $ 10,000.
“This law rewards individuals for exercising surveillance and control over other people’s bodies. It violates the separation of Church and State. And it will force people to get pregnant against their will “, said the council’s statement.
“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 law caused immediate outcry across the country and legal battles have already begun.
On Friday, a Texas District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Texas anti-abortion group Right to Life, which launched a “whistleblower” website asking for advice on abortions.
On Monday, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department “would protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services” under a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinics Act.
Garland said in a statement that federal prosecutors are still urgently exploring options to challenge Texas law.
President Joe Biden called the law “almost anti-American” on Friday and pledged to work with the Justice Department to fight it.
“The most pernicious thing about Texas law: it creates a kind of surveillance system where people get rewards … And it seems like, I know this sounds ridiculous, almost anti-American, what we’re talking about.”
Florida may be considering a similar abortion ban.