City of Odessa Trying to Adopt an Ordinance to Become a ‘Sanctuary for the Unborn’

New Odessa mayor Javier Joven is trying to ban abortions in the city like 17 other cities in Texas.

According to NewsWest 9, the first city council meeting of the year was a passionate one.

The second item on the agenda was a discussion to make Odessa a "sanctuary for the unborn."

If accepted it would ban abortions in the city of Odessa like 17 other cities have already done in  Texas.

Cities like Waskom, Omaha, Colorado City, and Big Spring have all passed those ordinances.

When the ordinance was presented to city council it was met with conflicting opinions.

Several took the podium in support of the ordinance.

"I'm covered in scars, you can see them all over my face. I have been sexually assaulted and physically abused but I don't have to live in that anymore, and I know it's hard for some people to do that but there is something greater that came from having my baby,” said one constituent in support of the ordinance.

There were also many that took the podium that gave reasons why they did not support the ordinance.

"This ordinance fails pregnant survivors of rape, childhood sexual assault, incest, domestic violence and coercion leaving them with no options in Odessa and no future options,” said a constituent against the abortion ban.

There were even some council members that felt the discussion was a waste of time.

No decision was made and continued discussions will happen on January 12.