Reproductive Equity Now Urges Easthampton City Council to Override Mayor's Veto of Reproductive Health Ordinance

Strategic Insights -

In the aftermath of Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle's veto of a reproductive health ordinance, Reproductive Equity Now is urging the Easthampton City Council to override the decision and pass the ordinance that would increase public education about the dangers of anti-abortion centers and codify the state's shield protections at the municipal level. The organization testified in support of the ordinance, which was originally passed with a 6-1 vote on July 5, and is now urging the City Council to act boldly once again and override the Mayor's veto. The Council has the authority to override the Mayor's decision between 10 to 30 days after the veto measure was returned to the Council.

Key Takeaways:

  • Reproductive Equity Now is urging the Easthampton City Council to override Mayor LaChapelle's veto of the reproductive health ordinance, which aims to increase public education about anti-abortion centers and codify the state's shield protections at the municipal level.
  • The ordinance was originally passed with a 6-1 vote on July 5, and the City Council now has the authority to override the Mayor's veto between 10 to 30 days after the veto measure was returned to the Council.
  • Reproductive Equity Now testified in support of the ordinance, citing concerns about the dangers of anti-abortion centers, which provide medical disformation and deceptive practices to people seeking reproductive health care.
  • The fair access provisions of the ordinance aim to increase public education about anti-abortion centers, while the safe access provisions codify shield protections secured in Chapter 127 of the Acts of 2022 at the municipal level.
  • Anti-abortion centers have been shown to deceive people and do not offer legitimate medical care, and studies have highlighted their harm to the health and safety of people seeking abortion.

References:

  • Reproductive Equity Now. Press Release: Reproductive Equity Now Urges Easthampton City Council to Override Mayor's Veto of Reproductive Health Ordinance. https://reproequitynow.org/press/reproductive-equity-now-urges-easthampton-city-council-to-override-mayors-veto-of-reproductive-health-ordinance

Statistics:

  • 6-1 vote in favor of the ordinance in the Easthampton City Council on July 5.
  • 10 to 30 days after the veto measure was returned to the Council, the City Council has the authority to override the Mayor's veto.
  • 3 key areas of concern for the fair access provisions of the ordinance: available sexual and reproductive health care services, navigating legitimate medical care in the Commonwealth, and filing a consumer complaint in the event of a negative experience seeking reproductive health care.
  • 1 lawsuit filed against a Worcester anti-abortion center, Clearway Clinic, alleging the facility failed to adhere to standards of medical care and misdiagnosed an ectopic pregnancy, resulting in emergency surgery for the patient.