Mayors in two prominent cities in Arizona have signaled that they will not follow the state abortion laws after last week’s Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“I am deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court decision,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (D). “Phoenix is a pro-choice city. A majority of the city council and I have no interest in using city resources to prevent women from accessing health care.”
I am deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court decision. Phoenix is a pro-choice city. A majority of the city council and I have no interest in using city resources to prevent women from accessing health care.
— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) June 24, 2022
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero (D) shared a similar sentiment.
“We know this issue will disproportionately impact women and people of color so in collaboration with Chief Kasmar/Cty. Atty Conover, Tucson residents will not face arrest or prosecution,” Romero tweeted, referring to the Supreme Court’s decision.
“Today is a hard day. The Supreme Court decision overturning #RoevsWade and #PlannedParenthoodVCasey, though not unexpected, is hard to accept. The Supreme Court has delivered a wrecking ball, dismantling the rights of SOME people in this country…” she said Friday.
Today is a hard day.
The Supreme Court decision overturning #RoevsWade and #PlannedParenthoodVCasey, though not unexpected, is hard to accept. The Supreme Court has delivered a wrecking ball, dismantling the rights of SOME people in this country…
1/4
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) June 25, 2022
Arizona’s SB 1164, signed into law on March 30, disallows abortions after 15 weeks unless the life of the mother is in jeopardy.
That law went into effect before last week’s Supreme Court decision, and Romero already said that the city had no interest in enforcing it.
“Tonight, we have taken bold action to ensure that no Tucsonan is criminalized for exercising their reproductive freedoms and right to make personal health decisions without government interference,” she said earlier in June.
Tonight, we have taken bold action to ensure that no Tucsonan is criminalized for exercising their reproductive freedoms and right to make personal health decisions without government interference. pic.twitter.com/Dsgv4VAZYi
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) June 8, 2022
“I am not going to sit and wait as our constitutional rights are stripped away,” Romero said. “In the absence of Congressional action to enshrine Roe v. Wade into federal law, it is up to local governments to stand up to protect bodily autonomy and the rights of pregnant persons from repressive state laws.”
State Senator Nancy Barto (R-Phoenix) told The Arizona Sun Times that Romero’s plan to make Tucson an abortion “sanctuary city” had no basis in law.
“This resolution is meaningless. The City of Tucson does not have the legal authority to block a state law regarding abortion, which is of statewide concern and subject to the sole jurisdiction of the state legislature. Cities cannot decide the legality of any state law for that matter,” she said. “That’s outside the scope of their authority.”
Cities around the country are feverishly working to become “sanctuary cities” for abortion.
Among them are Seattle, Washington, Ithaca, New York, and Washington, D.C.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kate Gallego” by Mayor Kate Gallego. Photo “Regina Romero” by Mayor Regina Romero. Background Photo “Human Embryo” by lunar caustic. CC BY 2.0.
