Athens City Council hears draft resolution from Athenians for Bodily Autonomy

Athenians for Bodily Autonomy (ABA) proposed a draft resolution on Monday evening to protect reproductive rights in Athens to Athens City Council.

The draft resolution proposes “the investigation or support for the prosecution of any allegation, charge, or information relating to the outcome of a given pregnancy, including abortion and abortion-related care, or any party thereto, will be the lowest priority for enforcement.”

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the Dobbs decision in June 2022, a number of Ohio cities have adopted similar legislation, including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Lakewood.  

The resolution also made note of Ohio Senate Bill 23 signed into law by Gov. DeWine, which criminalized abortion with no exception after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. 

Jenna Kieffer, an Ohio University student, journalist, activist and city employee shared her thoughts and perspectives on the issue. 

“I'm not the property of the state yet I feel like I'm being regulated as if I am. Why am I being denied the right to do what might help me survive?” Keiffer said. “Moreover, why do you care?”

Rees Wyant read a message aloud for a neighbor who could not be in attendance, which included a mention of the recent temporary restraining order of S.B. 23 and a push to adopt the resolution. 

“Judge (Christian) Jenkins (in Cincinnati) agreed the law put undue burden on pregnant individuals. Abortion up to 22 weeks gestation is again legal in Ohio but only until the case is heard by the Supreme Court of Ohio,” Wyant said. “We do not believe this is a time to be complacent on this issue.”

Louise Stewart, an Ohio U student and member of ABA, urged council members to adopt the resolution.  

“I'm here today to beg you as elected officials to advocate for our rights to self determination,” Stewart said. “You need to let us know what the plan is for when they come for us when they come to lock us away for doing exactly what you were allowed to do.”

Sara Quoia mentioned her work as a local activist for community rights and expressed her hopes for the draft resolution.

“I hope that one of you guys, maybe two of you at least, can take it up and bring this issue in front of council, get this law passed, get something on the books and join the rest of the civilized cities here in Ohio that recognize local control over our own bodies,” Quoia shared.

The council was unable to participate in the discussion of the resolution, per the council’s rules that any proposed resolution needs to go through a council committee first which will require review by the law director. 

Although the council will be reviewing the draft resolution for some time, Councilmember Solveig Spjeldnes expressed her support for the work done by the ABA.