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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-070-07/05/2022-EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR PROTECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND CONCERN ABOUT THE THREAT RESOLUTION 2022-070 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR PROTECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND CONCERN ABOUT THE THREAT TO THEM PRESENTED BY RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT ACTION WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, expressly overturning the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which determined the privacy rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution protect the right to terminate a pregnancy, with some limitation, and the Supreme Court's 1992 Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey decision, which reaffirmed the central holding of Roe; and WHEREAS, the Dobbs decision takes from millions of Americans a fundamental, protected right to make their own reproductive health decisions, including whether and when to carry a pregnancy to term, and accordingly the right to bodily integrity and self-determination; and WHEREAS, the effects of Dobbs will be experienced disproportionately by people of color, economically disadvantaged people and all others who face discrimination in the health care system; and WHEREAS, the Dobbs decision will enable states to force women and girls, regardless of age, who are victims of rape or incest to carry pregnancies to term, and to subject them to the medical and other risks; and WHEREAS, denying reproductive freedom can negatively impact the education, career, financial future, health and safety of all who may become pregnant; and WHEREAS, in 2022, the Colorado General Assembly adopted, and Governor Jared Polis signed into law, HB22-1279, known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act, to provide statutory protection for the right to abortion in Colorado; and WHEREAS, other states surrounding Colorado are poised to enact or have already enacted laws to restrict or deny abortions to women and girls, making Colorado a "safe haven" state that will be impacted by an influx of out-of-state women and girls who are able to travel here to exercise the right to terminate a pregnancy; and WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, the Council seeks to express its support for the protection of reproductive rights and concern about the Dobbs decision and its expected effects; and WHEREAS, the Council further intends to take such steps as may be appropriate to protect the Colorado law preserving abortion access in Colorado and support legislative actions -i- advancing the rights of women and girls in Colorado and upholding all persons' rights to privacy, dignity and self-determination. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. That the City Council hereby establishes as the legislative policy of the City the support of legislative efforts consistent with the principles set forth above. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 5th day of July, A.D. 2022. or ATTEST: h�OFoR r co City Clerk SEAL �olOftAo°