David Simon, a critically-acclaimed producer and writer known for The Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street, has scrapped plans to film and produce an upcoming HBO series in Texas, citing the recently-passed abortion ban in Texas. On Twitter, Simon wrote, “[As] 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.”
Simon went on to ask, “What else looks like Dallas/Ft. Worth?” A somewhat somber tweet incited some rather diverse, if not sardonic, replies, with users suggesting places from Anytown USA to Afghanistan.
Although many are onboard boycotting the Texas economy, some may be concerned that boycotts hurt Texas residents.
However, David Simon remains adamant on his decision to cease production in Texas, stating that he is more concerned about the safety of the female staff than anything else, including “political efficacy”. In addition, many people in the replies have defended the decision of boycotting Texas, stating that Texas is not entitled to a thriving economy and repeating Simon’s sentiment of prioritizing individual rights for female staff, who may not actually vote in Texas elections anyway.
The impact of Simon’s decision to not give business to Texas remains to be seen, as some productions, such as Bravo’s Top Chef, continue to film in Texas, post-abortion law passage.