PRO COUNCIL CHAIRMAN TEM SHENG THAO, VICE MAYOR REBECCA KAPLAN, PRESIDENT NIKKI FORUNATO BAS, PLANNED PARENTHOOD, NARAL PRO CHOICE AMERICA AND OAKLAND LEADERS HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PRO-SANCTUARY OAKLAND CITY DECLARATION CHOICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 05/17/2022

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Press contacts:
Brandon Harami, City Councilor
[email protected]

OAKLAND, Calif. – Today, Pro Council Chairman Tem Sheng Thao, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, President Nikki Forunato Bas, Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice California and Assembly Office Mia Bonta at the front of the City Hall advocate passing a resolution declaring Oakland a Pro-Choose City of Sanctaury. This resolution was passed unanimously by the Oakland City Council today.

This resolution, which was introduced by Thao, Bas and Kaplan, makes Oakland a city that celebrates abortion access, reaffirms its support for Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe V Wade into federal law, and advocates for increased state and county funding for reproductive health care providers in anticipation of an influx of out-of-state patients.

Chairman of the Council pro tempore Sheng Thao said:

“Passing this resolution makes Oakland the first city in California to declare itself a sanctuary city for abortion access and is the first step we will take to expand abortion access to anyone who Health care is a human right, and the City of Oakland strongly supports anyone exercising their right to reproductive health care.

“This resolution tells women across the country, who are under attack, that your rights will be protected here. Your autonomy, your agency, your access will be protected here. And
those who threaten or harass you will not be tolerated or allowed here in Oakland.

Board Chair Nikki Fortunato Bas said:

“With this resolution, Oakland loudly reaffirms our fierce commitment to our values ​​of freedom, justice, and respect for each person’s dignity and sovereignty to choose what is healthiest and safest for their body. . I am proud to co-author this effort, and committed to working with my colleagues and urging other jurisdictions to not only protect access to abortion, but to dramatically expand inclusiveness, capacity and quality of reproductive health services for all who need them in our community.

Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan says:

“I am honored to co-sponsor this resolution, pledging to fight for reproductive freedom. Make no mistake, the Supreme Court is threatening to back down. They threaten our fundamental rights and freedoms. The laws that guarantee the right to reproductive freedom are the same laws that guarantee the right to contraception, the right for LGBTQ+ people to be allowed to live and love as they choose, and privacy and racial justice. Let’s keep moving forward, not backward, as we work to protect human freedom and advance justice in our communities.

It is vital that reproductive freedom is protected by law and is effectively available. That is why our resolution also calls for increased funding for reproductive health services to ensure that everyone who needs them can get them.

Dr. Jessica Hamilton – Associate Medical Director of Abortion Services for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte says:

“As we have prepared for years for a post-Roe world, the news of the SCOTUS leak has been heartbreaking for those of us on the front lines. No patient or doctor has ever asked a politician to be in the exam room with him.

Since SB 8 (the heartbeat bill) took effect in Texas in September, we’ve seen California remain a beacon of hope for people seeking abortions. At Planned Parenthood Mar Monte alone, between July 2021 and April 15, 2022, we provided abortion care to twice as many out-of-state patients as during the same period the previous year. Roe’s reversal could increase the number of out-of-state patients whose nearest abortion provider is in California to 1.4 million! And while no patient should have to travel for care, at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte we have built capacity and are ready to support this increase in the number of patients seeking care in California, especially in major centers. transportation and sanctuary cities like Oakland.

It is imperative that our leaders understand that abortion care is health care and a personal matter that should be left to the patient and her health care provider. We welcome Council Member Thao’s emergency legislation to make Oakland a choice sanctuary city for abortion access and echo the call for the State of California to ensures adequate funding for reproductive health care. Thank you for standing with us as we champion essential healthcare for all, no matter what.

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