Planned Parenthood Claims Lubbock Abortion Ordinance Is Unconstitutional

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Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas have filed a lawsuit against the City of Lubbock, which recently passed a "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance.

In the lawsuit, Planned Parenthood says that the ordinance is unconstitutional since, in their words, it will prohibit residents from exercising their constitutional rights, therefore violating citizens' rights under the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade.

The lawsuit also requests that courts find the ordinance invalid under Texas state law and the 14th amendment, which states that no state shall abridge the privileges or immunities of U.S. citizens.

KAMC News reports that the City of Lubbock will be "vigorously" defending the ordinance. Heather Hacker and Andrew Stephens of Hacker Stephens LLP in Austin and Fernando Bustos of the Bustos Law Firm of Lubbock will be defending the City of Lubbock in this lawsuit.

The ordinance was first proposed to the Lubbock City Council back in November 2020. Back then, the Olson & Olson Law Firm told the city that the ordinance wasn't consistent with the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

The City of Lubbock hence unanimously rejected the ordinance. It was later passed after a special election was held on May 1st due to a petition being recognized by the council following its initial rejection.