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A resolution opposing the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
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WHEREAS, individuals have the right to become pregnant by choice and to become parents by choice; and
WHEREAS, through its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court of the United States has stripped the constitutional right to abortion access that was previously enshrined in Roe v. Wade; and
WHEREAS, this decision is a heart wrenching attack on millions of Americans, many of whom now have less freedom than their grandmothers enjoyed nearly 50 years ago; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council rejects the Court's radical undermining of a half century of precedent and its callous disregard for the harm its actions have on the safety and wellbeing of their fellow Americans; and
WHEREAS, restrictions on abortion disproportionately affect individuals experiencing discrimination and living on low incomes; and
WHEREAS, women who cannot afford to travel to clinics in neighboring states or countries to obtain abortion care are at greater risk of undergoing unsafe and life-threatening procedures; and
WHEREAS, this decision will mean life and death for millions of Americans as the right to safe and legal abortion is no longer safeguarded; and
WHEREAS, the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will also have far-reaching implications on many more constitutional rights that implicate the right to privacy; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council supports the right to abortion for all Americans and objects to the Court’s stunning and unprecedented reversal of Roe v. Wade.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County goes on record as opposing the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, thereby eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion that has existed for nearly 50 years.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County requests the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to make criminal enforcement, arrest and investigation of abortions its lowest priority and the administration is requested to restrict city funds and city staff from being used to investigate, catalogue or report suspected abortions.
Section 3. That the Metropolitan Council encourages departments of the Metropolitan Government to implement and enforce policies and practices to prevent harassment and disruption at abortion clinics, including noise regulations, parking and traffic regulations, and anti-nuisance regulations.
Section 4. That the Metropolitan Council supports reproductive health rights and requests the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources to develop an ordinance to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of reproductive health decisions and requests MDHA to develop rules to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of reproductive health decisions.
Section 5. That the Metropolitan Council opposes actions by individuals, organizations, and governmental bodies that attempt to restrict and limit women’s right to responsible parenthood and call on our fellow local elected officials to explore every tool at our disposal to ensure these rights.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.