HomeMy WebLinkAbout5679 RESOLUTION NO. 5679
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, AFFIRMING ITS SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, INCLUDING ABORTION, AND MARRIAGE
EQUALITY; AND ITS SUPPORT OF PROTECTIONS THROUGH WASHINGTON
STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION
WHEREAS, in 1970, Washington State voters approved Referendum 20,
which legalized abortion in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade
that unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. The Court held that
a set of Texas statutes criminalizing abortion in most instances violated a woman's
constitutional right of privacy, which it found to be implicit in the liberty guarantee of the
Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, "...nor shall any state deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law"; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Washington State voter approved Initiative I-120, which
declared a woman's right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability
and further expanded and protected access to reproductive healthcare in Washington
State in the event Roe v. Wade were to be overturned; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v.
Hodges that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both
the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
to the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive abortion care is included in the list of essential health
care services published by the World Health Organization in 2020; and according to the
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September 1, 2022
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World Health Organization, "[flack of access to safe, affordable, timely and respectful
abortion healthcare, and the stigma associated with abortion, pose risks to women's
physical and mental well-being throughout the life-course. Inaccessibility of quality
abortion healthcare risks violating a range of human rights of women and girls, including
the right to life; the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
the right to benefit from scientific progress and its realization; the right to decide freely
and responsibly on the number, spacing and timing of children; and the right to be free
from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment;" and
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2022, Washington Engrossed House Bill 1851 went into
effect, which states: "Although the abortion rights movement has historically centered on
women in our advocacy, that must no longer be the case; and it is critical that we
recognize that transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people also require
abortion healthcare. Washington's law should reflect the most inclusive understanding of
who needs reproductive healthcare and be updated with gender neutral language"; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down
Roe v. Wade, holding that the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment do not apply to an individual's right to safe and legal abortions;
and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court's current interpretation of the 14th
Amendment is also a threat to marriage equality; and
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WHEREAS, Governor Jay Inslee has stated he continued to support an amendment
to protect an individual's right to safe and legal abortion in the Washington State
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes this new U.S. Supreme Court decision
overturning Roe v. Wade may disproportionately impact people of color, people with
disabilities, and those with low incomes, among others; and
WHEREAS, the City values and supports LGBTQIA+ community members and
employees, and has demonstrated this through such actions as celebrating Pride Month
in Auburn; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered this Resolution during Study Session on
September 12, 2022, and allowed for public comment before voting on this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Auburn affirms its support of an
individual's right to comprehensive, safe, and accessible reproductive healthcare,
including abortion, and marriage equality.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Auburn expresses its support of
amendments to the Washington State and United States Constitutions to codify an
individual's right to comprehensive, safe, and accessible reproductive healthcare,
including abortion, and marriage equality.
Section 3. The Mayor is authorized to implement those administrative
procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
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September 1, 2022
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Section 4. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and
signatures.
Dated and Signed 19th day of September, 2022
CITY OF AUBURN
N NCY BA!" , MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ti \(e d �- W�uk
Shawn Campbe , MMC, City Clerk Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
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