Dayton city leaders looking at resolution that wouldn’t legally punish women who get abortions
The Dayton City Commission made a move it thinks is the first step in protecting women’s rights to get an abortion.
During its meeting Wednesday evening, the commission voted unanimously in support of an informal resolution in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last week.
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Several people stepped up to the podium wanting to know what the city will do about abortion access going forward.
City commissioners made it clear they have concerns about the ruling.
“It victimizes patients, it victimizes poor and underserved communities,” said Dayton City Commissioner Christopher Shaw.
“It’s severe government overreach,” said Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph.
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In the informal resolution the commission passed Wednesday, it said the commission declared strong opposition to the Supreme Court ruling and Ohio’s Heartbeat Law, which outlaws abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
The resolution also said the commissioners want to protect city resources for activities which improve the Dayton residents’ lives by de-prioritizing enforcement of these laws.
Some at the meeting told the commission this was not enough.
“I think this resolution is a little weak, deprioritize. I at least wish you could give it the same seriousness you gave marijuana and actually decriminalize it in the city,” said Joseph Abrams, Dayton resident.
“I want to ask you to do more than what you have done this evening. I’d like to ask you to use city resources, the law department, and funding,” said Melissa Bertolo, Dayton resident.
As far as what the city plans to do, that’s still up in the air.
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims said the resolution gives people a sense of where the commission is on the topic of abortion and kicks off the process of figuring out the types of things city commission could implement.
Right now, Mayor Mims said the city is doing its research.
“So yes talking with legal department, talking with prosecutor’s office, talking with other cities. Those are all things we’re looking at,” Mayor Mims said.
While some told the commission the resolution is a good first step, others have lingering questions.
“As we look to deprioritize or decriminalize or whatever we’re doing around abortion, I’m curious how you plan to hold your city manager responsible to enforcing the decision that this commission makes,” said Marshall Weil, Dayton resident.
News Center 7 asked Mayor Mims when people can expect a formal city, and he said soon.
