Anti-Abortion Proposal Fails In Temecula, For Now

TEMECULA, CA — After extensive feedback from the community and a lengthy City Council discussion Tuesday night, Temecula will not become an official "sanctuary city for unborn children," but that could change.

Mayor Matt Rahn said that when Councilmember Jessica Alexander proposed the anti-abortion stance for the city during a Sept. 13 City Council meeting, the council was "blindsided." At the time, City Attorney Peter Thorson directed city staff to put the issue on the Sept. 27 City Council meeting agenda.

News spread. Dozens of public speakers turned out for Tuesday's meeting, and 122 emails were received about Alexander's proposal — most in opposition.

City Council was in the middle of a social issue outside of typical city business like new housing developments, traffic congestion, police and fire. Guidelines to adequately discuss the matter were not in place, according to Rahn.

Policies should be drafted and approved "so we don't run into this issue again," he said during Tuesday's meeting.

The council voted 4-1 — with Alexander casting the lone nay vote — to nix a possible "sanctuary city for unborn" resolution. With a separate 5-0 vote minutes later, the council left the door open to bring back a similar proposal. The latter vote requires the city to come up with policies that ensure future resolutions — of any kind — meet to-be-determined city requirements before coming to councilmembers. Alexander and Councilmember James Stewart were tasked with heading the effort.

The unanimous vote also instructed city staff to come up with a process to comprehensively track legislation pertaining to proposals. The city will also restart efforts to compile data on available community resources/nonprofits that serve residents so councilmembers can put future proposals in better context.

Rahn also suggested the city get clarity on whether Alexander's proposal was a conflict of interest because she serves as director of Birth Choice Centers in Temecula. The agency "offers support for people facing pregnancy, parenting and reproductive health concerns," according to its website. Birth Choice does "not offer, recommend or refer for abortions or abortifacients," but instead is "committed to offering accurate information about abortion procedures and risks," the website reads.

Thorson said that guidance would need to come from the state's Fair Political Practices Commission.

Without the guidelines and data, there is a "tremendous amount of uncertainty" about how to move forward on Alexander's proposal — and others in the future, Rahn said.

Prior to the votes, Councilmembers Stewart, Maryann Edwards and Zak Schwank told Alexander they could not support her resolution.

"You continually misunderstand your role on the City Council," Schwank read to Alexander from a prepared statement. "It's clear to me that you think your role on the council is to serve yourself, your career, your church, your pastor and your political party before you serve your constituents in the city of Temecula.

"Your view does not represent the city as a whole," he continued. "Personally, I believe you're playing politics."

Edwards said she considers Temecula a safe haven for all residents, but the threat of a lawsuit by the state of California, if Temecula adopted any sort of anti-abortion stance, was not in residents' best interests.

In a Sept. 23 letter from California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office to the Temecula councilmembers and staff, the state Department of Justice threatened the city with legal action if abortion access becomes limited.

"Any attempt by the City of Temecula to limit an individual's ability to exercise their right to reproductive choice and bodily autonomy would be a violation of state law," the letter read. "California's Attorney General takes seriously his obligation to protect Californians' right to reproductive freedom. Our office will not hesitate to take legal action should a local regulation conflict with California's state law."

Edwards said that by voting to adopt a resolution that goes against state law, she would break the law at the city's expense.

"When I put this [City Council] hat on, I must uphold the Constitution" despite personal pro-life views, she said.

Alexander countered that a resolution "is not law" and the city could not be sued.

"It depends on what's in the resolution" as to if the city would be at legal risk. "And that's a big if," Thorson said.

Alexander's proposal put Temecula in a bad light, according to Stewart.

You're "just putting a target on our back," he said.

Alexander's proposal made headlines, and not for the first time. In separate remarks from the dais that were previously covered by multiple news organizations, she offended some LGBTQ and minority constituents.

Alexander's comments Tuesday night were getting attention again, and so was a prop she used to make her points.

"We have the right to stand up for these babies," she said while holding up a fetus doll that caused audience grumbling. "I don't want Temecula to be known as a dark abortion state. These babies are His."