SLO council commits to ‘protecting reproductive freedoms’ after Roe v. Wade overturned
The San Luis Obispo City Council passed a resolution in support of reproductive freedom on Tuesday, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and end the constitutional right to abortion.
The all-female council unanimously approved the resolution, with some saying they felt it was important to “take a stand” in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“I think the whole point of this is supporting and being supportive of the laws we have and being accessible,” Mayor Erica Stewart said during discussion.
She also noted that as a person of color, with children who are people of color and a spouse who is white, she was concerned about the ability of the court to take away rights that are not specifically written into the Constitution.
“I continue to see rights being something that can be taken away when we’re talking about the reasoning behind this one specific issue,” Stewart said.
This was the second such resolution passed in SLO County this year. In January, the Morro Bay City Council approved a resolution affirming abortion rights in the city, despite opposition from a council member who claimed it was to score political points.
On Tuesday, SLO Councilmember Jan Marx said she “wholeheartedly opposed” the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it a “very poorly written reason.”
“I’m of the generation that I was a teenager when abortion in California was illegal, and my best friend in high school nearly bled to death because of a self-induced abortion,” Marx said. “And luckily, she survived, but it affected her her whole life. ... So, you know, I do think it is significant for us to take a stand — even though it may not be legally significant — but in terms of our regard for our community and our wish to stand solid with women of all ages.”
In the approved resolution, the city resolved to “continue to uphold everyone’s right to equality and liberty by protecting their reproductive freedoms and their access to health services.”
It also said SLO would welcome anyone to the city “to fully exercise their full reproductive rights.”
“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,” the resolution concluded.
Community members urged SLO council to support reproductive freedoms
Several people spoke during public comment on the resolution Tuesday night, highlighting the importance of the council voicing support for reproductive freedoms.
“While it might be a foregone conclusion that this council will approve this resolution affirming support of reproductive freedom, the act of writing a letter and speaking publicly tonight matters,” said resident Emily Francis, who is running for a seat on the council this November. “What happened at the Supreme Court and the court’s decision was the product of decades of collective action by a minority of our country who is focused single-mindedly on restricted reproductive freedoms.”
Rita Casaverde, chair of the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party, added, “It is important to show up and show support for the resolution in a time where showing up matters.”
She also urged the council to continue to show its support for the issue through its future actions.
“Thank you for recognizing that we all deserve our reproductive freedom,” Casaverde said. “And I look forward for the city to support reproductive freedom not only with this resolution, but also with further policy and your budget.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 6:49 PM.
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