HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11343 affirming support of Reproductive Freedom R 11343
RESOLUTION NO. 11343 (2022 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AFFIRMING SUPPORT OF REPRODUCTIVE
FREEDOM
WHEREAS, in 1973, the United States Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade
ruled that the United States Constitution protects a pregnant person's reproductive
choices and liberties, namely the right to an abortion; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court in Dobbs v.
Jackson Women’s Health Clinic overturned Roe v. Wade, holding there is no federal
Constitutional right for a pregnant person to have an abortion; and
WHEREAS, Dobbs expressly calls into question other substantive due process
rights protecting the right to privacy and bodily autonomy; and
WHEREAS, overturning Roe will greatly impact marginalized groups who already
face barriers accessing reproductive healthcare services, particularly low-income women
and women of color, causing further inequity; and; and
WHEREAS, in a recent survey of abortion patients, 49% are living below the
federal poverty line, 59% already have children, and 55% are experiencing a disruptive
life event; and
WHEREAS, women with access to reproductive health services are more likely to
pursue and complete higher education, participate for a longer period in the labor force
for economic stability, career growth and self-sustainability, achieve higher-paying
occupations, and are much less likely to fall into poverty and receive public assistance
later in life; and
WHEREAS, a woman’s and/or any pregnant person’s ability to freely access
reproductive health care is essential to ensuring the lives, rights, health and equality of
all people and society are protected; and
WHEREAS, in the past 54 years since the state of California protected a pregnant
person’s right to choose under law, the people of San Luis Obispo and the State of
California have been able to freely and without fear of legal recourse exercise their
reproductive freedoms; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, effectively
ending federal constitutional protection of a woman’s and/or pregnant person’s right to
choose their path towards reproductive health, as many as 26 states may move to ban
reproductive choice in its entirety; and
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WHEREAS, prohibitions on the right to exercise reproductive freedoms are
harmful to the public health and safety of all people, and are contrary to the values of
equity and justice that the people of the City of San Luis Obispo and the Constitution of
the State of California seek to uphold; and
WHEREAS, passage of these laws disproportionately impact low-income women,
survivors of sexual assault, the trans and nonbinary community, Black, Latinx, Indigenous
and other people of color; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo will continue to uphold everyone’s right to
equality and liberty by protecting their reproductive freedoms, and their access to health
services, welcoming anyone to San Luis Obispo to fully exercise their full reproductive
rights.
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R 11343
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City affirms its commitment to
the human rights afforded to all women and persons who can become pregnant,
regardless of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, cultural, or religious background, age or
sexual orientation and to opposing any laws or regulations that pose a threat to
reproductive freedom, reproductive rights and equitable access to reproductive health
services, sexual freedom and/or self-determination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City supports efforts to add a person’s right
to choose in the California and United States Constitutions.
Upon motion of Mayor Stewart, seconded by Council Member Pease, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Marx, Pease, Shoresman, Vice Mayor
Christianson, and Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 5th day of July 2022.
__________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
__________________________
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
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7/12/2022 | 7:41 AM PDT