Worried over the possibility that the Supreme Court might quickly reverse Roe v. Wade, therefore ending the federal legalization of abortion, the San Diego city council voted all on Tuesday to state the city a safe place for “reproductive freedom and access to abortion.”
The move “carries no legal weight and wouldn’t matter much if it did because abortion is expected to remain legal in California regardless of any federal changes,” the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The city council went ahead with the statement, anyways, identifying it as a crucial symbolic gesture and a message to the pro-life supporters around the nation.
In the resolution, the city board declared that San Diego has a duty as the second-largest city in California to “act as a design and devote to safeguard the right and support to reproductive liberty and safe access to abortion services.”
“No matter what happens with the Supreme Court ruling, no matter who you are or where you come from, no matter the color of your skin or your socioeconomic status, I want everyone to know that you are welcome in the City of San Diego to exercise your reproductive rights,” said councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who spearheaded the measure, in a press release.
“I want all San Diegans who are scared and frustrated about this potential ruling to know that you have members of this city council and a Mayor that have your back, and we will not back down,” he added.
Must the Supreme Court end the constitutional right to an abortion by reversing Roe — as it is commonly anticipated to do according to a draft ruling leaked last month — choices about the controversial issue will be left totally to private states.
In the resolution, council members kept in mind that as numerous as 26 states in the U.S. might choose to prohibit abortion completely. The Hill reported that 13 states currently have trigger laws in place that would significantly limit abortion immediately upon Roe being overruled.
“We are bringing forth this resolution to send a message — that the City of San Diego will not stand for an assault on women’s rights,” added councilmember Marni von Wilpert in a statement.
San Diego is thought to be the very first city in the nation to officially make such a statement. Democratic leaders in a number of states have actually made comparable dedications in spoken actions to the leading court’s dripped viewpoint.
The Hill noted that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) addressed the issue in a press conference, saying, “Let me be clear, no matter what atrocious opinion the Supreme Court officially rolls out this summer in regards to Roe v Wade, abortion is safe and legal in Illinois.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) has actually likewise stated, “As mayor, I have one message to anyone worried about access to abortion care … Chicago’s doors are open. We unequivocally respect you and your choices.”
Once again, such statements will have no legal effect whatsoever.
H/T The Blaze
