SAN ANTONIO—Several pro-life groups and individuals are suing the city of San Antonio over the city council’s creation of the “Reproductive Justice Fund.”
The Reproductive Justice Fund directs $500,000 of taxpayer dollars to organizations that pay for abortion travel and assist illegal chemical abortions in Texas.
The lawsuit—filed by groups including the San Antonio Family Association (SAFA) and Texas Right to Life (TRTL)—was filed in response to the city council’s decision to approve the $500,000 grant fund in the city’s 2024 budget.
Those who lobbied for the budget adjustment included Jane’s Due Process, Avow, the Buckle Bunnies Fund, Sueños Sin Fronteras, and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity.
Texas law currently prohibits anyone from “knowingly procur[ing]” an abortion for a state citizen; however, the lawsuit argues that most of these organizations already do this.
“Many of these organizations facilitate or subsidize out-of-state abortions performed on Texas residents,” the lawsuit alleges. “The Buckle Bunnies Fund also aids or abets illegal self-managed abortions in Texas.”
“It is a criminal offense to donate money to abortion funds that procure out-of-state abortions for Texas residents,” said Michael Knuffke, president of SAFA, in a statement. “We will expose the criminal activities of these organizations and put an end to their violent and murderous acts. Anyone involved with these abortion-trafficking organizations, including their donors, will be prosecuted under state law and sued under the Texas Heartbeat Act.”
Texas Right to Life President Dr. John Seago also released a statement:
We will not allow the City of San Antonio to give taxpayer money to criminal organizations that engage in abortion trafficking and disregard the Pro-Life laws of our state. We will be taking discovery from every one of these abortion funds to expose their violations of state law and the criminal activities of their members and donors. Any other city in Texas that tries to give taxpayer money to abortion funds or abortion-assistance organizations will be met with a similar lawsuit.
Other organizations joining the lawsuit include the Allied Women’s Center, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Texas Eagle Forum, Texas Leadership Coalition, The Republican Party of Bexar County, The Bexar Conservatives, and Unite San Antonio.
TRTL says their attorneys have sent litigation-hold letters to Texas abortion funds “demanding that they preserve all documents and evidence related to their abortion-assistance activities.”
According to the statement, “This will reveal the extent to which these organizations are violating state law and expose their employees, board members, volunteers, and donors to criminal prosecution and lawsuits under the Texas Heartbeat Act.”
“This lawsuit will stop the city from violating the pro-life consciences of their citizens and protect women and their children from the predatory groups hoping to receive taxpayer funding,” said Seago.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
