The city of Bristol, with a population of approximately 44,000, is quite literally divided. Straddling the border between Virginia and Tennessee, the state line runs directly through its main street. While the two sides share much in common, a critical difference has emerged: abortion is illegal in Tennessee following a 2022 Supreme Court decision that returned the power to regulate abortion to individual states, leading 12 states to enact near-total bans.
A City Split by Law
As a direct result, Bristol’s only abortion clinic – the Bristol Women’s Health Clinic – relocated less than a mile across the state line to continue legally providing services in Virginia. However, the legal status in Virginia hasn’t ended the struggle for abortion access. Barbara Schwartz, co-founder of SLAAP (the State Line Access Abortion Project), describes the situation as “like whack-a-mole,” with anti-abortion activists continually seeking new ways to restrict access.
Legal Challenges and Ongoing Protests
The clinic is currently facing eviction. On December 22nd, the Bristol Circuit Court will hear the clinic’s case against an eviction order issued by the building’s owners, brothers Chase and Chadwick King, in April 2024. The clinic’s lawyers argue they are entitled to a six-year lease renewal. However, a ruling in favor of the Kings would force the clinic to find a new location.
This isn’t the first attempt to remove the clinic. The owners previously claimed the clinic fraudulently concealed that it performed abortions – a claim a judge dismissed in September 2023. Clinic owner Diana Derzis has stated she hopes to keep the facility open even if evicted, but noted a lack of suitable properties in Bristol, Virginia.
A Destination for Abortion Care
The potential closure of the Bristol clinic would significantly impact abortion access, particularly for those traveling from states with bans. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, states where abortion remains legal have become destinations for individuals seeking care. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 155,000 people crossed state lines for abortion care last year, with over 9,200 traveling to Virginia alone in 2024.
Barbara Schwartz emphasizes Bristol’s strategic location, stating it is “with a few hours’ difference…the closest place to get a safe and legal abortion for millions of Southerners.”
New Legal Challenges Emerge
Beyond the eviction case, new legal challenges are emerging. Activists, including Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson, are pushing for the enforcement of the Comstock Act, a 152-year-old federal law prohibiting the mailing of materials used to procure an abortion. Dickson has successfully persuaded 93 local authorities to adopt ordinances based on the Comstock Act, even leading to the closure of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Lubbock, Texas.
While a city council investigation into applying the Comstock Act in Bristol was ultimately dismissed, Dickson remains optimistic. Kimberly Smith, SLAAP’s co-founder, believes Bristol is a target due to its unique political makeup – a traditionally Republican area within a Democratic state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Comstock Act?
The Comstock Act is a federal law from 152 years ago that prohibits sending or receiving materials through the mail that could be used to induce an abortion.
Why is Bristol, Virginia, a focal point in the abortion debate?
Bristol is uniquely situated as it lies directly on the state line between Virginia, where abortion is legal, and Tennessee, where it is banned. This has made the city a destination for those seeking abortion care and a target for anti-abortion activists.
What is SLAAP’s role in this situation?
SLAAP, the State Line Access Abortion Project, assists individuals traveling to Virginia for abortion care at the Bristol Women’s Health Clinic and advocates for continued access to reproductive healthcare.
As the legal battles continue, and new challenges emerge, the future of abortion access in Bristol remains uncertain. What role will local politics play in shaping the future of reproductive healthcare in this divided city?
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