The St. Paul City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday night that recognizes March 10 as “Abortion Providers Appreciation Day” in the city.
The timing of the resolution was deliberate, since the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments this week in the case of a Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges to a local hospital within a 30-mile radius.
The resolution, which passed in a vote of 7-0, recognizes abortion provider Dr. David Gunn, who was shot and killed on March 10, 1993.
“To honor his memory, March 10 has since been established as a day to show appreciation for the high-quality care that abortion providers and clinic staff provide, and to celebrate their courage, compassion, and dedication to their work,” states the resolution.
The resolution goes on to call abortion one of the “safest medical procedures in the United States” and condemns “recent restrictions” on abortion passed at the state level.
“The Supreme Court of the United States now contains a majority of Justices who may not interpret the Constitution to provide protection for the right to end a pregnancy and may overturn or severely limit Roe v. Wade, which includes the threat of patients and abortion providers being arrested and sent to jail,” it continues, saying abortion providers and clinic staff “courageously provide care” in the face of “threats to their personal safety.”
The document concludes by calling abortion providers an “essential and valued part of Saint Paul’s health care.”
“The Saint Paul City Council recognizes March 10, 2020, as Abortion Providers Appreciation Day to honor Dr. Gunn’s memory, to combat the stigma that many abortion providers and clinic staff face, and to celebrate the courage, compassion, and high-quality care they provide,” the resolution states.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) said he believes “we should protect human life from conception to natural death” in response to the resolution.
I believe we should protect human life from conception to natural death. But why would the St.Paul city council choose to “celebrate” abortion? Some may think it’s a necessary evil, but to celebrate abortion is bizarre. #mnleg https://t.co/rbkKy1M5os
— Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) March 5, 2020
“But why would the St. Paul City Council choose to ‘celebrate’ abortion? Some may think it’s a necessary evil, but to celebrate abortion is bizarre,” he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) thanked the council for “being in solidarity with providers and the patients they serve.”
People who are pregnant have the right to seek abortions.
Abortion providers have the right to provide abortion care.
Thanks to the St. Paul City Council for being in solidarity with providers and the patients they serve.https://t.co/FYQwmGjrTE
— ACLU of Minnesota (@ACLUMN) March 5, 2020
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Celebrating abortion, truly a dubious distinction. Species who begin to kill off their young do not last very long in this world. To quote Guess Who lyrics from the 1970’s:
“Lonely feeling deep inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Silent footsteps crowding me
Sudden darkness but I can see
Cause it’s the new Mother Nature taking over
It’s the new splendid lady come to call
It’s the new Mother Nature taking over
She’s gettin’ us all
She’s getting us all
Who speaks for the child that is about to be murdered?