It has been roughly two months since the U.S Supreme Court overturned Roe. v. Wade. Since then, it has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
Writer Jia Tolentino, in her 2022 article for The New Yorker, writes, “support for abortion has never been higher, with more than two-thirds of Americans in favor of retaining Roe, and fifty-seven per cent affirming a woman’s right to abortion for any reason… abortion bans will hurt, disable, and endanger many people who want to carry their pregnancies to term but who encounter medical difficulties…” States across the country have continuously held numerous forums and protests to the point where elected officials at every level are having to take legislative action.
With Roe. v. Wade being overturned, Texas has enforced it’s 1925 abortion ban. As a result, abortion clinics across Texas have stopped providing abortions. Patients seeking an abortion have had to travel hundreds of miles out of state or find medication abortion pills.
On Tuesday August 1st, with an 8-2 vote, San Antonio City Council approved a resolution denouncing Texas abortion ban with the recommendation that no local funds be used to for criminal investigations for abortions. This decision came after nearly five hours of citizens being heard, with several voicing their support and even some sharing their personal stories and others voicing their disdain and pleading for a vote no.
Iris Dimmick, in her 2022 article for the San Antonio Report, writes, “The resolution does not prevent local law enforcement from investigating criminal cases of abortion, because the council cannot tell police departments how or whether to investigate criminal cases, according to state law and the city’s charter. Council can only make recommendations.”
The resolution was spearheaded by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo. Castillo, along with District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo, District 3 Councilwoman Phylis Viagran, District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello- Havrda, District 9 Councilman John Courage, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg, held a press conference two weeks ago outlining their plan to draft the legislation. “By passing this resolution,” Castillo said, “the City of San Antonio is committing to not using any city funds or data to sell out persons seeking out a safe abortion.”
It’s no surprise that conservative and liberal citizens alike are divided on this issue and voiced their opinions accordingly. Patrick Von Dohlen, president of conservative advocacy group San Antonio Family Association, argued women shouldn’t have an abortion and ones that do are “emotionally unstable”. He and several other groups in attendance heavily exclaimed impudent remarks disguised as biblical propaganda towards the dais.
Regardless of which side one stands on, the language is pretty clear in the legislation. While the City or County governing boards cannot decriminalize abortions, it is evident that the future of a woman’s right to abortion being restored is still uncertain. What is certain is the conversation surrounding a woman’s right to abortion still continues. This demonstration that has taken place has all eyes on both discussing and dissecting the future of women’s health and how it will be protected for generations to come.
