Los Angeles City Council Unanimously Passes Resolution in Support of Proposition 1

Proposition 1 is an initiative on the November 8 statewide ballot

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council today unanimously approved a Resolution in support of Proposition 1, a November ballot initiative that would codify abortion access into the California State Constitution.

“I am thankful to my colleagues for their support of this resolution. The ability to access safe and legal abortions is an important human right. This moment requires us all to be unwavering and steadfast in our commitment to speak up in support of reproductive freedom and this resolution and the passage of Proposition 1 will do just that – send a clear message to the nation that the ‘right to choose’ is safe and guaranteed here in the state of California and the City of Los Angeles,” said 10th District Councilwoman Heather Hutt.

“With the passage of Proposition 1, California will lead the way for the rest of the nation by enshrining reproductive freedom in our State Constitution,” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District. “Reproductive health care and freedom are fundamental rights and they must be protected. We must also affirm that California stands steadfastly against any Supreme Court or radical right-wing legislature that works to take any of our fundamental personal rights away. Many of those rights are now at risk, including marriage equality and the right to privacy, and today Los Angeles has made it clear that we hold these fundamental rights and values dear, and we’ll do anything we can to protect them.”

“Today, the Los Angeles City Council added its voice to those of communities up and down the state standing up for the reproductive rights of the women of California, and by our example, supporting these rights for all women in the United States,” said City Council President Paul Krekorian.  “Although women in California currently enjoy complete autonomy in their reproductive choices, this amendment to our constitution will protect that right from future infringement by any local government. The most basic rights of women to control their own bodies and make their own decisions about the most personal matter imaginable is under attack in this country.  The City of Los Angeles has voted today to defend this most basic freedom, and we are confident the State of California will do the same,” said Krekorian.

If approved by voters next month, Proposition 1 would add the right to an abortion to the California State Constitution, thus establishing a right to reproductive freedom, among other protections. Proposition 1 would amend the State Consitution to explicitly prohibit California from denying or interfering with personal choices related to reproductive care and declare that individuals have a fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and to use or refuse contraceptives. If passed by voters on November 8, 2022, California would become the first state to protect abortion access in its constitution.

“Abortion is health care, and all health care decisions should be made solely between an individual and their doctor — a medical expert who is equipped to help patients make the most informed decision about their health,” said Celinda M. Vázquez, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County (PPAP). “Los Angeles, and California, must always be a place where our essential freedoms are protected. That’s why PPAP is proud to support YES on Proposition 1, to protect access to abortion for generations to come, and thanks the Los Angeles City Council for supporting this critical effort.”