SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — As the state of California hurtles toward the November elections and a key vote on abortion, the city of San Clemente will consider a resolution to designate itself a “sanctuary for life” city.
City Council member Steve Knoblock introduced the resolution, which would have no legal authority.
“The purpose of the resolution is to let the state of California know that the people of San Clemente think that unborn lives should be protected,” he said.
Council member Gene James seconded the resolution ahead of an expected Aug. 16 vote.
Knoblock has until then to drum up enthusiasm from his peers.
“I’m not sure what support I have,” he said. “Time will tell.”
The resolution, Knoblock said, is to advertise that some people don’t want to see California Proposition 1, which would install certain abortion protections for patients and providers, go into law. California has continued to announce support for abortion programs with various legislators pushing bills to funnel money into public programs for women that include abortion. Some lawmakers have even discussed making California a sanctuary for women seeking abortions.
Knoblock’s plea stands out in a state that overwhelmingly supports abortions and providers.
Michele Bratcher Goodwin, a Chancellor’s Professor at the University of California, Irvine and founding director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy, said the resolution is a rallying cry more than anything else.
“For show, it can actually generate significant resources, financially and otherwise,” she said. “Substantively, legally, it goes nowhere because state law trumps all local ordinances.”
She said that such a move could ingratiate Knoblock to donors for future campaigns should he plan to run for higher office.
Knoblock kept his comments simple, saying he’s just doing what he thinks is right.
But his resolution may go nowhere, as he said that some criticized the inclusion of the word “God.”
“God isn’t something we should be embarrassed by,” he said. “God isn’t a tagline to be thrown at the end of a presidential speech.”