In a unanimous decision on Aug. 28, Goliad County officials passed an ordinance outlawing abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, and abortion trafficking within its unincorporated areas, becoming the second Texas county to do so after Mitchell County. The move aligns with the broader trend of “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” in Texas and reinforces the protection of unborn children from the moment of conception, with private citizens able to enforce the law.
“We as a court believe that all have the right to life and pledge that we will stand firm for that right,” Goliad County Judge Mike Bennett said, according to The Dallas Express. “I encourage every county in Texas to join us in the effort to protect the unborn.”
According to The Dallas Express, Goliad County commissioners unanimously passed the “Sanctuary County for the Unborn” ordinance on Aug. 28, becoming the second county to implement the ordinance following Mitchell County. The ordinance aims to ban elective abortions while providing legal protections for women seeking or receiving abortions. The ordinance also explicitly prohibits “abortion trafficking” and asserts its commitment to safeguarding unborn residents in the unincorporated area of the county from any actions or individuals that promote or facilitate abortion. This provision makes it illegal to knowingly transport any individual for the purpose of obtaining or providing an elective abortion, as long as the activity occurs within or passes through the unincorporated area of Goliad County, which includes several major U.S. routes, according to Dallas Express.
The ordinance permits citizens to initiate civil lawsuits against any party found in violation of the measure, with the exception of mothers seeking or undergoing abortions. The ordinance explicitly protects mothers from prosecution, penalties, or civil liability. Prior to the adoption of this ordinance, the Goliad County Commissioners Court received a letter from several Texas legislators advocating for anti-abortion trafficking ordinances. These lawmakers emphasized the need to combat abortion trafficking organizations operating in the state and pointed out that the Sanctuary for the Unborn ordinances aim to protect institutions and individuals without penalizing women who seek or undergo abortions, instead targeting abortionists and those profiting from the procedure, including abortion traffickers.
The “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” initiative has gained momentum with the passage of anti-abortion measures in four counties and 67 cities across the United States. On the same day that Goliad County commissioners endorsed their ordinance, commissioners in Mason County, Texas, also voted unanimously to add a similar measure to the agenda for their upcoming meeting. This indicates a growing trend of local jurisdictions considering and implementing such ordinances as part of the broader pro-life movement.
