Resolution No. _____
A resolution of the city council of the City of San Marcos, California, affirming support of reproductive freedom
WHEREAS, in 1973, The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade ruled that the United States Constitution protects a woman’s reproductive choices and liberties, namely the right to an
abortion; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2022, The United States Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Clinic overturned Roe v. Wade, holding there is no federal Constitutional right for a pregnant person to have an abortion; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, at least 14 states have banned abortion services, and several other states are expected to take similar action to severely restrict or prohibit abortion services; and
WHEREAS, passage of these laws disproportionately impact low‐income women, survivors of sexual assault, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other people of color; and WHEREAS, studies show that women with access to reproductive health services are more likely to finish college, pursue higher education, participate for a longer period in the labor force, achieve higher‐paying occupations, and are much less likely to fall into poverty and receive public assistance later in life; and
WHEREAS, prohibiting the right to exercise reproductive freedom is harmful to the public health and safety of all people, and is contrary to the values of equity and justice that the people of the City of San Marcos and the Constitution of the State of California seek to uphold; and WHEREAS, although California law provides meaningful protections for reproductive rights against state interference, the Dobbs opinion highlights how California will no longer be able to rely on long‐standing federal protections.
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, with the support of the California Governor, has placed Proposition 1 on the ballot for a vote in the November 2022 election to amend the California Constitution to expressly include an individual's fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which will include the fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives.
WHEREAS, the City of San Marcos will continue to uphold the right to privacy and liberty by protecting reproductive freedoms, and access to health services, welcoming anyone to San Marcos to exercise their full reproductive rights; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Marcos hereby pledges support for Proposition 1 and urges San Marcos voters to vote Yes on Proposition 1 in the November 8, 2022 election.