Days after the conservative “Heartbeat bills” passed legislation that banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, the council announced that the city of Portland, Oregon would be withdrawing its business over what they called an “attack on the reproductive rights, freedom, and autonomy of people across the country.”
However, the city has withdrawn its proposed Texas boycott and travel ban in response to the state’s dramatic curtailing of abortion access. Instead, city officials are considering setting aside $200,000 that will go to organizations “that deliver programs and services related to reproductive healthcare,” according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The city council is set to consider the new proposal on Wednesday.
The Texas law prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks — before some people know they are pregnant. It differs significantly from laws blocked in other states because it leaves enforcement up to private citizens through lawsuits instead of criminal prosecutors.
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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler says that the Texas Abortion Law affects them greatly, too. In a tweet, he said: “I want to reiterate why we’re getting involved in Texas’ abortion ban: This law impacts everyone. This ban and the Supreme Court’s decision not to block it threatens the historic precedent that protects the reproductive freedom of people across the nation.”
“We will not be silent in the face of oppression and control. We will speak out, act, and hold other states accountable for the disproportionate harm they inflict on communities of color, women, gender non-binary individuals, poor working families, and immigrant communities,” Wheeler said in his thread.
According to city spokesperson Heather Hafer, Portland had purchased slightly less than $35 million in goods and services from Texas in the past five years.
The boycott would have banned the purchase of goods and services by Portland from Texas and bar city employee travel until the legislation is reversed or overturned.
However, despite the boycott not pushing forward, the city of Portland expresses its opposition to the abortion law. The City Council says, “The Portland City Council wishes to manifest its opposition to the Texas abortion ban, and its support for those who are affected by it, by ensuring that those who seek to exercise their constitutional right to an abortion have access to certified healthcare providers in safe and secure facilities.”
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