Yellow Springs passes legislation to not prioritize enforcement of laws that criminalize abortion

The Village of Yellow Springs has passed resolutions that council members said are the first steps toward taking action against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“We’re disgusted, we’re frustrated,” Council President Brian Housh said of the Supreme Court’s decision at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Housh also called the decision “incredibly undemocratic” and an attack on private and personal rights.

Housh said he believes that action is important, and the two resolutions presented at the meeting would be the first steps toward the village taking action.

The first resolution states that the village council rebukes the decision to overrule Roe v. Wade.

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“Village Council adamantly upholds the rights and freedoms of every individual and supports the right of every woman to control the autonomy of her own body,” part of the resolution states.

The second resolution establishes Yellow Spring’s intention to not prioritize enforcement of state laws that criminalize abortion.

“Village Council intends, to the fullest of its ability, to protect Village residents from specious overreaches of state power resulting from the ruling, and to prioritize Village resources for activities that improve the lives of our residents by de-prioritizing enforcement of these laws,” it states.

Residents at the meeting raised concerns such as suggesting the village fund expenses for their employees who need to leave the state for an abortion and asking how the city plans to protect medical professionals.