Lebanon City Council has unanimously passed an ordinance to make Lebanon a "sanctuary city for the unborn," banning abortions and abortion-inducing drugs. The city is the first city in Ohio to do so.The council voted 6-0 on the emergency ordinance at its meeting Tuesday evening.The council heard public comment for over three hours in a room that reached full capacity.Passage of the ordinance makes providing an abortion a first-degree misdemeanor, and punishable by 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.To date, 27 municipalities in Texas and Nebraska have outlawed abortion. Lebanon is the first city in Ohio to ban abortions.Lebanon's ordinance was sponsored by six of seven members of city council, including the mayor.Councilwoman Krista Wyatt turned in her resignation at 3 p.m. Monday, effective immediately, in regards to the ordinance debate, because she did not support it.“I'm heartbroken to not fulfill my term and I know many people will be disappointed," she said. "I'm powerless to do anything about it as one vote, so I decided I might as well not even be there.”“I want to make it very clear -- I am not pro-abortion. I don't know anyone who is, but I do not think we as council members have a right, a responsibility to tell a woman what she can do with her body.”Several dozen people showed up outside protesting the abortion ban. They held signs that read "If you're against abortion, don't have one" and "I stand with Planned Parenthood."There were also a few counter-protesters outside the meeting.
Lebanon City Council has unanimously passed an ordinance to make Lebanon a "sanctuary city for the unborn," banning abortions and abortion-inducing drugs. The city is the first city in Ohio to do so.
The council voted 6-0 on the emergency ordinance at its meeting Tuesday evening.
The council heard public comment for over three hours in a room that reached full capacity.
Passage of the ordinance makes providing an abortion a first-degree misdemeanor, and punishable by 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
To date, 27 municipalities in Texas and Nebraska have outlawed abortion. Lebanon is the first city in Ohio to ban abortions.
Lebanon's ordinance was sponsored by six of seven members of city council, including the mayor.
Councilwoman Krista Wyatt turned in her resignation at 3 p.m. Monday, effective immediately, in regards to the ordinance debate, because she did not support it.
“I'm heartbroken to not fulfill my term and I know many people will be disappointed," she said. "I'm powerless to do anything about it as one vote, so I decided I might as well not even be there.”
“I want to make it very clear -- I am not pro-abortion. I don't know anyone who is, but I do not think we as council members have a right, a responsibility to tell a woman what she can do with her body.”
Several dozen people showed up outside protesting the abortion ban. They held signs that read "If you're against abortion, don't have one" and "I stand with Planned Parenthood."
There were also a few counter-protesters outside the meeting.
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