On Monday March 15, 2021, Latexo, a small Texas town in Houston County, become the 23rd city in Texas to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within the city limits. The vote was unanimous (4-0). Latexo is about 75 miles south of Tyler and about 120 miles north of Houston. 

Although only a small population of 233, Latexo is home of the Latexo Independent School District which draws students from all over the unincorporated areas of Houston County. As such, LISD serves over 450 students. Many are hoping that by declaring Latexo a Sanctuary city for the Unborn the students will understand that abortion is never the answer to an unexpected pregnancy. Bobbie Sissom, a resident of Latexo, has seen the pain abortion causes. “As a public health servant for over 35 years, I know personally of the regrets of those who made this choice,” Sissom said.

Back in January Pastor Randy Redkey of Latexo Baptist Church had prayed on a Sunday morning that God would use them to end abortion. A few days later he heard that Grapeland, Texas may soon outlaw abortion. Grapeland is only eight miles north of Latexo. Pastor Redkey soon joined the movement to make Grapeland a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. Indeed, Redkey was present when Grapeland became the 18th city in Texas to pass the Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance “to be voice for the voiceless.”

Naturally, Pastor Redkey also wanted to see his city become a safe haven for unborn babies. When the ordinance passed in Latexo, Redkey said to LifeNews: “I am very excited my city of Latexo is now a sanctuary city for the unborn. I know that God is pleased our elected officials have stood up for life. May God greatly bless our city because we have been faithful to him on this issue.”

Pastor Redkey echoes Mark Lee Dickson’s scriptural rationale for the Sanctuary Cities movement. Dickson, the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative, often quotes Amos 5:15, which reads “Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

Councilman Harvey Bruner expressed joy being part of the movement to end abortion in Texas and nationwide. He said, “I’m glad to see this movement going on, and I’m glad to be a part of this. I want this to spread across the state!” Bruner’s hope is not misplaced it seems. Latexo was the sixth city to pass the ordinance in the year 2021 and the third city in the month of March. A full list of cities is available here.

Like all the previous Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinances, the Latexo ordinance contains two means of enforcement. The public enforcement is contingent upon other factors but the private enforcement, which makes an abortionist or anyone who aids and abets in an abortion “liable in tort to a surviving relative of the aborted unborn child, including the unborn child’s mother, father, grandparents, siblings or half-siblings,” is immediately enforceable through private lawsuits.

Recently, the news of Latexo outlawing abortion caught the attention of Chris Rector - a mayoral candidate for the City of Fort Worth, Texas. Sitting at a population of 942,323, the city of Fort Worth is 2,926 times the size of Latexo reminding the world that small cities can make big impressions.

Rector posted on his campaign page, “The Latexo Ordinance reads, ‘The State of Texas has never repealed its pre-Roe statutes that outlaw and criminalize abortion unless the mother’s life is in danger’ and that ‘The law of Texas therefore continues to define abortion as a criminal offense except when necessary to save the life of the mother.’” Rector continued, “When elected mayor and as mayor, I will absolutely support making Fort Worth a sanctuary city for the unborn.”

Several more cities are possibly on the horizon for the Sanctuary Cities movement. Pro-Life Waco is looking to partner with Right To Life of East Texas in order to see cities in McLennan County become sanctuary cities for unborn peoples. Even though the opposition may be strong in some of the cities that Pro-Life Waco’s leader wants to tackle. Several of those who serve in positions of authority in cities throughout McLennan County have ties to the abortion abortion industry. 

Despite the opposition that they are bound to face, Pro-Life Waco Director John Pisciotta sees the movement as worth being started in his city. “In my judgment Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn is the second most significant grassroots pro-life initiative of the 21st century,” said the former Baylor Economics professor. Pisciotta gave first place to 40 Days for Life, an organization that hosts prayer vigils throughout the nation to end abortion. 

A quote from Latexo resident Aleksandra Miletic sums up the importance of this issue to pro-life people. “God made those babies in his image and each and every one of them is precious in his sight. We are called to love them and protect them, not murder them.”

Douglas Phillips is a native Texan, having been born and raised in the Lone Star State. He writes on political philosophy and current events.