As neighboring states act to protect lives by passing laws that ban abortion, abortion centers looking to protect their profits are developing plans to invade our community and relocate their industry to Bristol, VA. For example, an abortion center located in Bristol, TN—owned by the same operator whose abortion center was at the heart of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health case—has already relocated to our cherished city, moving in near the local casino. We need to act now to safeguard the lives of babies and vulnerable moms—and prevent our city from becoming the next major abortion destination.

The proposed pro-life zoning measure will make it practically impossible for new facilities to relocate within the City of Bristol that are used to intentionally cause the death or termination of a pre-born human life at any stage of development. The measure protects our schools, churches and residential areas from invasion or expansion of the abortion industry.

The Main Points: This action is necessary to make it clear that Bristol, Va., is a community that protects and values all human life, from the cradle to the grave.

• We will not allow that value—respect for human life—to be degraded or eradicated by outside groups and abortion industries attempting to transform our city into an abortion-destination.

• Our Twin-City motto has long been “A good place to live.” We wholeheartedly believe in that motto and will take these steps to make sure it remains a good place to LIVE for the future.

• That’s why we support this measure to protect the safety and welfare of every resident, including babies in the womb.

• Making our city a safe zone for life falls within the scope of Virginia laws and codes, which make it clear that cities can enact measures for the purpose of protecting against loss of life and to enable the “protection of life.”

• Furthermore, the recent Supreme Court Dobbs decision makes it clear that abortion is not a fundamental constitutional right and that local entities, including our city, have the right to enact policies that protect life.

• Therefore, we are asking you to vote for this measure to make it clear that Bristol is a safe zone for life and a good place to LIVE!