Otero County could become 'sanctuary for life' via anti-abortion resolution

The Otero County Commission is expected to discuss a resolution "Declaring Otero County as a Sanctuary for Life" at its July 14 meeting, and stating the county's opposition to abortion

The resolution came following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade, a landmark decision in 1973 that affirmed a woman's right to abortion was protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The recent ruling gave state governments the authority to determine if the practice would be legal in their respective states.

Abortion is legal in New Mexico.

Otero County's resolution stated the Otero County Commission agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against Roe v. Wade and that the legality of abortion should be left up to state leaders.

"The functioning of the American Republic is truly respected and restored by the Court’s decision," read the resolution.

The resolution said "all human life" must be protected, including a fetus at the beginning stages of development and throughout a pregnancy.

"The Board of County Commissioners of Otero County, New Mexico, desires to express its deep concern that all human life, beginning from life inside the womb, through every stage of development, up and until a natural death, in Otero County should be afforded protection by their government, including local government, from acts of cruelty, and should be treated humanely and with dignity," the resolution stated.

The resolution also stated that situations may arise when "emergency medical interventions performed toprotect the life of the mother and/or unborn are decisions only to be made and decided on by the doctor and mother without government intervention" and that the County will keep a neutral position in cases where a patient was a survivor of rape or incest which they see as criminal matters.

The Otero County Commission is "firmly against the presence in the County of Planned Parenthood clinics or any other clinics where abortion is practiced at will and on demand," read the resolution.

"Any procedures that need to be performed in regards to protecting the health of a mother will take place in a local hospital under the care of a physician."

The resolution also stated that the Otero County Commission is against any medication that could cause a miscarriage.

"We do so, not only to protect the developing child but also to protect the mother of any adverse reactions that these drugs may cause," the resolution states.

The Otero County Commission "condemns voluntary abortion practices used for any reason and believe that the intentional killing of an innocent human life is never acceptable," per the resolution.

"We believe that life is God ordained and God is the author and finisher of every life. No matter if at the beginning or at the end," read the resolution. "We stand in full agreement that, as a body of commissioners, we will protect and sustain life at every stage. As we ask God to bless America, we first have to honor and respect God. By protecting life and passing this resolution we feel that we do both."

The resolution being discussed Thursday is similar to the one that did not pass when it was presented at the April 11, 2019 regular meeting with Otero County Commission Chairman Gerald Matherly and then-Otero County Commissioner Lori Bies voting against the measure with Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin as the sole vote for that resolution's passage.

Both the current resolution and the one that failed in April 2019 were submitted by Griffin.

Roe v. Wade and Otero County

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe V. Wade decision from 1973 in which the U.S. Supreme Court at the time found that the U.S. Constitution afforded the right of women to choose to have an abortion.

The decision was struck down by the current U.S. Supreme Court on June 24.

Following this decision, local activists have held protests in Alamogordo where upwards of 200 people showed up to voice their concerns about what may happen with Roe V. Wade overturned.

The organizer of the most recent women's rights protests is Natalie Wilkins.

Wilkins told The Alamogordo Daily News her thoughts on the resolution proposed by the Otero County Commission.

"The resolution proposed in regard to abortion that will be reviewed at Thursday’s meeting is outrageous," Wilkins said. "In a county where upwards of 30% of our children live in poverty and 600+ are in the care of the state, it is irresponsible to suggest Otero County become a 'sanctuary of the unborn.'

More:Reproductive rights rally held in Alamogordo

"Otero County has no right to say what anyone can do with their body, regardless of circumstance," Wilkins continued. "Religion and medical care should not mix in any legal setting, and if this proposal passes, the county commissioners do not represent the best interest of the community."

The Otero County Commission meeting is open to the public and begins at 9 a.m. on July 14 at the Otero County Administration Building, 1101 New York Avenue, Room 123. For those who are unable to be at the meeting, Otero County Commission meetings are streamed to YouTube and can be accessed via the Otero County Commission Livestestream website, www.co.otero.nm.us/277/Commission-Meeting-Live-Stream shortly before the meeting is set to begin.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter. If you have questions about your subscription, please contact Customer Service at AlamogordoDailyNews@Gannett.com or call 1-877-301-0013.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Otero County to consider anti-abortion resolution at upcoming meeting