ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Voters in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also known as the ‘late-term abortion capital’ of the nation, have voted to strike down a proposed ban on late-term abortions in the city.

As previously reported, the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” was presented by the local pro-life organization Project Defending Life and was approved to go on the ballot by city council in September. It would have banned all abortions after 20 weeks (5 months) gestation.

“By 8 weeks after fertilization, the unborn child reacts to touch. After 20 weeks, the unborn child reacts to stimuli that would be recognized as painful if applied to an adult human,” the proposed statute stated. “Consequently, there is substantial medical evidence that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain at least by 20 weeks after fertilization, if not earlier.”

Therefore, “the abortion shall not be performed or attempted, if the probable post-fertilization age … of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater,” it outlined, providing exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

According to Politico, a coalition of abortion advocacy groups, including Obama’s Organizing Action and Planned Parenthood, worked together under the name “Respect ABQ Women” and raised $680,000 in an effort to defeat the measure. Pro-life groups coalesced under the heading “Protect ABQ Women and Children” in the fight to pass the ordinance.

However, on Tuesday, voters in the city rejected the proposed late-term abortion ban by a ten percent margin, 55 to 45 percent, allowing abortions five months and up to continue in Albuquerque.

The vote comes just days after the prominent pro-life organization Live Action released video footage exposing the partnership between a late term abortion facility in Albuquerque and a local hotel. As previously reported, Live Action provided audio of a telephone call to both Southwestern Women’s Options and Plaza Inn as an undercover female posed as seeking a 25-week (6 month) abortion.

“It looks like we can do this for you, but it will be a week-long procedure,” the Southwestern Women’s Options receptionist explains. “But we have a hotel that we work in conjunction with that gives room rates to our patients, and they also will pick you up at the airport.”

“They will bring you back and forth to all your appointments, and they will take you back to the airport again, and that’s all free of charge,” she continued. “And they’re called the Plaza Inn.”

The video then cuts to a phone call to Plaza Inn to obtain further information.

“I just had some questions about discounted rates for patients of Southwestern Women’s Options,” the woman tells the receptionist.

“Uh-huh,” the receptionist replies. “$49 plus tax.”

“[W]hoever answers the phone, you just let them know that you’re coming in with Southwestern Women’s Options and they’ll give you the discounted rate!” she exclaims happily.

Albuquerque would have been the first municipality to ban late-term abortions had the measure been passed by voters. Tony Perkins of Family Research Council told reporters that the ban would have had a national effect and saved a number of lives.

“Although the referendum is technically a local one, Albuquerque’s initiative would be felt throughout the whole country, since the city is home to some of America’s only late-term abortion providers,” he said. “For too long, the city has been a destination for death, as moms travel near and far to take advantage of the area’s loose laws.”

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