HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-12 ProclamationItem Number: 3.a.
J uly 12, 2022
AT TAC HM E NT S :
Description
Roe v. Wade proclamation
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City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION >z
Whereas, access to reproductive health care is critical to women's physical, psychological, and
socioeconomic well-being; and
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Whereas, the right to decide to have an abortion before viability has been United States
Supreme Court precedent for nearly 50 years; and
Whereas, the recent United States Supreme Court majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson
Women's Health Organization overturned the constitutional right to abortion as recognized
in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), and reaffirmed in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern
Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992); and
Whereas, arguably the United States Supreme Court has not ruled against the human rights of
so many Americans since its bad decisions in Dred Scott v. Sanford; and Plessy v. Ferguson,
where these decisions ignored the rights of the enslaved and supported Jim Crow Laws; and
Whereas, abortions are a common part of healthcare, with 1 in 4 women in the United States
having an abortion by the time they are 45 years old; and
Whereas, banning abortions doesn't reduce abortions, but does lead to worse public health
outcomes; and
Whereas, Black women in the U.S. are three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related
cause than white women and forcing birth will only further exacerbate these inequities in our
community; and
Whereas, forced birth negatively impacts the physical, mental, emotional, social, and
economic health of women, parents, and families at a time when currently there is no guaranteed
parental leave; lack of economical healthcare, and a national childcare crisis; and
Whereas, the unfair burden of fighting for women's rights will likely fall—as the Human
Rights Commission notes, to the "coming generations who may now have to bear the burden of
advocating for and establishing comprehensive, inclusive reproductive rights" in the face of
multiple daunting challenges.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved,that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Iowa City
agree all people have the ability to make medical decisions about their own body; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Iowa City support
the rights of pregnant persons in the City to obtain access to the full spectrum of reproductive
healthcare, including abortion care; therefore,opposes the United States Supreme Court's
majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Iowa City will
support those who work to ensure access and availabil. reproductive healtrrervices for the (C
Iowa City Community.
Mayor rf
;•� Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
- this 12th day of July 2022.