Waskom, a small Texas town with a population just over 2,000 people, this week officially became a “sanctuary city” for the unborn.
In an uncharactaristically packed house Tuesday night, the Waskom City Council approved an ordinance declaring the small town a “sanctuary city for the unborn” — the first municipality in the Lone Star State to do so.
The council members also voted unanimously on a second Right to Life measure to outlaw abortion within the Waskom city limits.
Mark Lee Dickson, director of the East Texas chapter of the pro-life organization Right to Life, told reporters, “We decided to take things into our own hands, and we’ve got to do something to protect our cities and to protect the unborn children.”
According to KTAL-TV, Waskom Mayor Jesse Moore warned residents the city will likely face a lawsuit over the new statute, a legal challenge he said the town cannot afford to lose.
“Most likely, we will end up getting sued if this passes,” he explained. “It could go to the Supreme Court.”
Alderman Jimmy Dale Moore agreed with the mayor, lamenting the city simply can’t afford to pay the potential attorneys’ fees.
“If we go to the Supreme Court,” he said, “we’ll have to pay the other side of the attorney fees so … ya’ll save your nickel and pennies. We may need them.”
Those gathered for the meeting broke out in cheers after the council approved the pro-life statutes. And in response to potential legal troubles, supporters said they’re confident God will take care of them.
The people of Waskom decided to move forward with the “sanctuary city” ordinance after the city council of Rosewell, New Mexico, did the same thing in March.
In a 7-1 vote, the Roswell council members passed a resolution to outlaw abortion in the city, noting, “The protection of all human life is important to the people of the city of Roswell.”