Alamogordo to consider 'sanctuary for life' resolution
The Alamogordo City Commission will discuss two resolutions addressing abortion and women's health issues during a special meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Sgt. Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center.
The meeting agenda includes two resolutions: One which states support of a resolution approved by Otero County on July 14 which declared the County a "sanctuary for life" and another to declare Alamogordo a "sanctuary for the unborn."
Otero County's resolution voiced support of the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and called for women's health and abortion issues to be legislated by individual states.
Abortion is legal in New Mexico. This month the Mississippi-based clinic at the center of the lawsuit which resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision announced it would move to Las Cruces and begin offering abortion services there. A second provide based in Texas also announced its intention to move services to southern New Mexico.
The proposed resolution declaring Alamogordo to be a sanctuary for the unborn states that "each and every innocent human life is unique and precious to God" and asserts that life begins at conception.
More:Otero County Commissioners declare county as a 'sanctuary for life'
Opposition to the resolution has come from Alamogordo-based women's heath advocate and organizer Natalie Wilkins of New Voices Otero.
"While Alamogordo has no abortion clinics now, there could be the need for one in the future," Wilkins said. "Passing nonsense resolutions that are not legally binding may not seem like a huge deal to some, but it is pure political intimidation."
Wilkins said that such resolutions could drive existing resources for reproductive healthcare from the community.
"That is dangerous. With the amount of drug issues, murder, and poverty in Alamogordo, you would think our city commissioners would be more focused on real issues, surrounding individuals that are actually here," Wilkins said.
"Instead, they are using religious rhetoric to tell the community they do not care about individuals capable of pregnancy."
Wilkins said she expected a large contingent of people who oppose the resolution to attend the special meeting.
"If this resolution passes, we most definitely will be organizing a protest in response," Wilkins said. "(New Voices Otero) are hoping to start contacting other pro-choice groups around the state."
Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Alamogordo to consider 'sanctuary for life' resolution
