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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A resolution to support Proposition 1, the November ballot measure that would establish a right to reproductive freedom -- including the right to an abortion -- in the state constitution, was introduced Tuesday by Council President Nury Martinez and Council President Pro Tempore Mitch O'Farrell.
"Abortion must be protected in this country and failing to do so denies women the equality we all deserve," Martinez said at a news briefing at City Hall. "Californians are unwilling to treat women as less than, and here in Los Angeles, we have been consistent in our commitment to protecting the right to a safe and legal abortion.
"No one should be forced to care for a child because their state's legislators want to push personal beliefs onto women in their state."
The ballot measure was a response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which had established the federal right to an abortion for nearly 50 years.
The rebuttal to the argument in favor of Proposition 1 in the Official Voter Information Guide distributed to voters by the Secretary of State's Office declares that "Proposition 1 is not needed to protect abortion rights but it will cost California taxpayers millions" through the increased number of abortion seekers from other states coming to California.
"California law already allows access to abortion and contraception," attorney Heather Hacker said in the rebuttal. "But unlike state law, which limits late-term abortions unless medically necessary, Proposition 1 has no limit on late-term abortions."
Last week, a proposed ordinance prohibiting pregnancy service centers from misleading people about reproductive health services, including abortion, with tactics such as false advertising was moved along by the Arts, Parks, Health, Education and Neighborhoods Committee and is expected to come before the council soon.