David Simon's Upcoming Series Cancels Shoot in Dallas over Texas Abortion Law
“As an employer this is beyond politics... I can’t and won’t ask female cast/crew to forgo their civil liberties.”
The writer and creator of HBO crime-drama series The Wire has cancelled plans to film an upcoming series set in Dallas, Texas over a controversial abortion law in the state. The restrictive laws bans most abortions if the fetus is older than six weeks and is the first of its kind to be implemented in the United States.
“As an employer this is beyond politics,” Simon tweeted. “I’m turning in scripts next month on an HBO non-fiction miniseries based on events in Texas, but I can’t and won’t ask female cast/crew to forgo their civil liberties to film there. What else looks like Dallas / Fort. Worth.”
If an employer, this is beyond politics. I’m turning in scripts next month on an HBO non-fiction miniseries based on events in Texas, but I can’t and won’t ask female cast/crew to forgo civil liberties to film there. What else looks like Dallas/Ft. Worth? https://t.co/q6Py6XikYh
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2021
Following backlash online, Simon made it clear that the decision was not one of politics but of ethics.
“Love Austin and San Antonio. Even like Houston some. And you are blissfully unaware that this is not a political decision for us; we can’t ethically ask female cast/crew to relocate to any state that requires them to forgo their civil liberties. The end.”
Love Austin and San Antonio. Even like Houston some. And you are blissfully unaware that this is not a political decision for us; we can’t ethically ask any female cast/crew to relocate to any state that requires them to forgo civil liberties. The end. https://t.co/j5WVrr7hfp
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 22, 2021
The law was passed on May 19th by Governor of Texas Greg Abbott and came into effect on September 1st. Women’s rights activists have claimed the law is unconstitutional with regard to the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to the healthcare procedure. There are also concerns that it will be difficult to challenge in court because of its precarious legislation and that other states attempt to do the same.
As Davis Simon continuously defended the decision online, the Dallas & Film Creative Office took to Twitter to respond to the screenwriter’s decision.
“Laws of a state are not reflective of its entire population. Not bringing a production to Dallas (a big “D”) only serves to further disenfranchise those that live here. We need talent/crew/creatives to stay & vote, not get driven out by an ability to make a living.”
.@AoDespair -Laws of a state are not reflective of its entire population. Not bringing a production to Dallas (a big "D") only serves to further disenfranchise those that live here. We need talent/crew/creatives to stay & vote, not get driven out by inability to make a living. https://t.co/DxD46z0nNu
— Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office (@DallasCommish) September 20, 2021
It was then that David Simon fired back to again reassert his situation.
“You misunderstand completely. My response is NOT rooted in any debate about political efficacy or the utility of any boycott. My singular response is to securing and maintaining the civil liberties of all those we employ during the course of a production.”
You misunderstand completely. My response is NOT rooted in any debate about political efficacy or the utility of any boycott. My singular responsibility is to securing and maintaining the civil liberties of all those we employ during the course of a production. https://t.co/cSKZu08uOO
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2021
The Dallas-based Film and Creative Office did not respond.
HBO has yet to announce a new filming location for the docu-drama series, but if David Simon has anything to say about it then Texas is off the list.
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