At the meeting, Mayor Farrah Khan said she had suggested the resolution be drafted and approved. In her comments, she said the purpose was to send a message to the community that the city does not support the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on abortion.
In a 6-3 vote, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 24. The original decision banned states from restricting abortion in the U.S. during the first trimester—now it’s left up to the states to regulate the procedure.
According to Mayor Khan, over 400 people gathered on June 24 in Irvine at Alton Parkway and Culver Drive to protest the Supreme Court’s decision. She said she hopes the city’s stance on the issue gives women hope.
The position, which was formalized as a resolution, includes “whether or when to have children” is “foundational to a person’s autonomy, dignity and ability to participate fully in economic, social, and civic life.”
It additionally cites the American Psychological Association, stating, “there is a preponderance of scientific data supporting the conclusion that freedom of choice and a woman’s control over her critical life decisions promotes psychological health.”
The resolution also claims the Supreme Court’s decision restricting abortion access disproportionately affects “poor, rural, working-class women, and women of color” who don’t have the resources to seek an out of state abortion, should the states where they live ban the procedure all together.
Councilmember Tammy Kim—a member of Planned Parenthood’s Leadership Council—said this subject was “very personal” for her since she began advocating for abortion rights when she attended high school. She never believed Roe v. Wade could be overturned.
“I think this is very timely,” Kim remarked about the resolution. “I’m really proud of our mayor and for our city for standing up for reproductive rights.”
The vote passed 3-2 with Councilmember Mike Carroll and Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo voting no. Neither member spoke up during the discussion to address their disapproval of the document.
The resolution also says the city supports California’s legislative efforts to protect abortion rights, and the council urges federal leaders to make abortion legal nationwide.
Lastly the document says the city “strongly supports” protestors and demonstrators organizing to put pressure on elected officials to defend “this historic attack on the rights of women” and furthermore, encourages women and residents of Irvine to advocate for their support for abortion rights.
Irvine is the only Orange County city thus far to formally express disapproval of the recent Roe v. Wade decision.
