(6-15-21) Last night’s Celina City Council meeting focused on two issues that may be facing the community in the years to come. One of those issues were concerns about possible abortion clinics that might want to be located with-in the city limits.

City weighs restrictions on pot, abortions

Concerns were brought up by City Council President Jason King who brought up the January 22nd statement released by President Joe Biden. (see below)

Video from EWTN This Nurse Witnessed Aborted Babies Born Alive (may not be suitable for children and could be disturbing)

Statement from President Biden and Vice President Harris on the 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

January 22, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Today marks the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade.  

In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack.  We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care – including reproductive health care – regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status. 

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe.  We are also committed to ensuring that we work to eliminate maternal and infant health disparities, increase access to contraception, and support families economically so that all parents can raise their families with dignity.  This commitment extends to our critical work on health outcomes around the world. 

As the Biden-Harris Administration begins in this critical moment, now is the time to rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all individuals have access to the health care they need.

On May 25th the Lebanon, Ohio City Council passed legislation that would not allow for an abortion clinic in the city.

From the City of Lebanon (Ohio) 5-25-21 Council Minutes

Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union – Ohio has have said they are prepared to sue Lebanon over the ordinance. Freda Levenson, ACLU-Ohio legal director, said they are reviewing the information and determining their legal strategy.

The ACLU released the following statement:

LEBANON – Tonight the seven-member Lebanon City Council will hold a vote on a dangerous city ordinance that would ban abortion and make it illegal to aid someone in obtaining the procedure by declaring the city a ‘sanctuary for the unborn.’ The ACLU of Ohio and Planned Parenthood call the proposed measure blatantly unconstitutional and the ACLU is prepared to mount a legal challenge.

Freda Levenson, Legal Director for the ACLU of Ohio

“This hyper-local strategy is another attempt by anti-abortion extremists to stigmatize and ban abortion in Ohio, by whatever means necessary. Anti-abortion politicians in Lebanon have no business interfering in people’s lives and health care. We will do everything in our collective power to ensure this effort is dead on arrival.”

Kersha E. Deibel, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region

“This law directly undermines the value of the individual lives of everyone in Ohio who has had an abortion or may need an abortion in the future, and our strong and diverse coalition will continue to fight to secure access to abortion care in Ohio, especially for young people, people of color, people in poverty, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and people of varying immigration status who will always be the most impacted by this kind of oppressive legislation.”

Stephanie Craddock Sherwood, Executive Director of Women Have Options/ Ohio.

“As Ohio’s statewide abortion fund, we hear every day how that without help, whether it is assistance with funds for the procedure, childcare, or a ride to the clinic, abortion can be impossible to access. This ordinance leaves the citizens of Lebanon without the ability to access the safe, legal, and constitutionally protected health care they need. Folks with means can access care, but this cruel law cuts off access to those who most struggle in our communities and leaves them without the life-affirming and life-saving abortion care they need.”

Chrisse France, Executive Director of Preterm

“Preterm and our strong coalition partners will always fight back against any legislation that tries to limit access to abortion care and support for abortion care. Laws like this local ordinance in Lebanon are designed to shame, stigmatize, and cut people off from the broad support for abortion and reproductive care available in Ohio. If you need an abortion and live in Lebanon, Preterm and all our partners are with you and will fight to support you and your access.”

Kellie Copeland, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio

“Everyone, including the residents of Lebanon, Ohio deserve access to abortion without judgement, delay, or interference. Proponents of this ordinance say it is about preventing future actions, but nothing could be further from the truth. Every day, people from across Southwest Ohio turn to trusted abortion providers for quality care. Sometimes a patient needs financial assistance, help with transportation, or a knowledgeable source to point them in the direction of medically-accurate information. All of those actions would be criminalized with this proposal. We stand with the residents of Lebanon as they fight back against this dangerous ordinance.”

The proposed ordinance purports to ban abortions in the City of Lebanon ; but it reaches beyond as well:  it would criminalize providing money or assistance to anyone seeking an abortion even if the abortion took place outside of the city limits.

The broad coalition in the fight to protect abortion access in Lebanon and all of Ohio includes ACLU of Ohio, NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Ohio Women’s Alliance, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Preterm, URGE Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, and Women Have Options.

Ohio’s nine abortion clinics remain open for patients. Anyone seeking information can visit https://www.abortionislegalinohio.com/#ohio-abortion-clinics for links to clinics across the state.

Celina City Law Director is researching the recent ordinance passed in Lebanon to see what legal issues might be a concern.

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