|
City Attorney Sterling Solomon introduced the item and offered that the resolution is being presented at the direction of Council. The resolution would not create a sanctuary city or local law, it would simply be a statement by the City Council.
The following individuals addressed Council in opposition of the resolution:
- Marie Sather
- Bryson Macintosh
- Derek Williams
- Sandra Redding
- Sarah Tewes
- Rosanna Tarr
- Former State Representative Bob Thorpe
- Janet Wessels
- Michele Berrong
- John Schiebe
- Landon Schiebe
- Stephanie McKenzie
- Gretchen Slover
- Brian Miller
- Gary M. Howell
- Janine Kelley
- Victoria Cook
- Jackie Burkland
- Mark Haughwout
- Phil Goldblatt
- Sandra Runkle
- Marie Dunn
- Paul Richardson
- Tom Pearson
- Ann Ingram
- Elise Thomas
- John Mark Dyer
- Jay Smith
- Kate Smith
- Chilel Jawara
- Brian Weber
- Matthew Dyer
- Gioia Woods
- Mark Zarubin
- Allison Dyer
- Christina Raynsford
- Joshua Walker
- Dr. David Berry
- Amanda Finney
- Victoria Cook
- Barbara Swee
- Shelby Patton
- Sam Copeland
- Brian Skowronski
- Dr. Jim Dorman
- Christina Barkley
- Ben (no last name given)
- Eric Nichols
The following comments were received:
- Your mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all, that includes life in the womb.
- Abortion stops a beating heart.
- Adoption is a beautiful choice and is an option every woman has.
- Women can raise a child in the face of adversity, there is support in the community and within the faith community.
- Life is precious.
- Abortion purposely and intentionally ends a person’s life.
- There is a life within the mother that is distinct from the mother.
- Energy and resources should be directed to supporting pregnant women and connecting them to appropriate resources.
- The effects of an abortion can last a lifetime.
- What about the father, a father who wants to accept the results of their actions?
- You represent all Flagstaff citizens however, the resolution demonstrates a lack of respect for those who believe that abortion ends the life of a human.
- This resolution is an overreach of power and does not represent the community.
- Passing a resolution that contradicts state and federal law puts you in direct violation with your oath of office.
- Abortion takes a significant emotional toll on mothers and fathers.
- Consider a resolution that makes Flagstaff a sanctuary city for adoption.
- As an adopted son, I am living proof of the pro-life industry.
- Liberty and justice for all includes the unborn.
- The real problem is a society that labels babies as problems.
- Stand for justice of children and the mental well-being of women.
- This is a sad day in Flagstaff history.
- The resolution contains no mention of those who are robbed of their choice to live.
- Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love.
- The greatest destroyer of love is abortion.
- The resolution is a waste of time, resources, and money.
- This is a political stand only, go back to parks, police, fire, housing, and snow removal.
- Women already have access to abortion, the resolution is not needed.
- Abortions have serious health implications.
- Pregnancy does not create mental or physical harm.
- This resolution will jeopardize the beauty of Flagstaff.
- You were not elected to take a stance on abortion, you were elected to run the city.
- If the Council wishes to call on the legislature to repeal a law they should hold a referendum to see if a majority of voters support the repeal.
- It is inappropriate for the Council to direct the Police Department to ignore the enforcement of state law.
- The resolution does nothing but garner controversy.
- This resolution is based on your own personal opinions, not on the beliefs of half of your citizens.
- The resolution does nothing to change the law and it does not further the health of children, the citizens, or the community.
- Abortion organizations are put into poor cities and they target minorities, this should be a civil rights issue.
- When we make a statement such as this, even non-binding, it is a statement that we do not regard life at conception.
- It is not within the purview of the City Council to determine constitutional rights.
- Human rights are inclusive, a pregnant woman should be informed of all resources and options available to her.
- Support of this resolution represents a crime to humanity.
- The business of abortion is more profitable than healthcare.
- Why does the resolution not represent organizations that provide resources to women.
- Women are continually lied to that abortion is their only and best option.
- How many future Einstein’s, Abraham Lincoln’s, Maya Angelou’s, or Martin Luther King’s have been aborted?
- The abortion issue is much bigger than the City Council, this is out of your lane.
- Flagstaff is a family friendly environment, let’s keep it that way.
- Abortion is in line with racist ideologies.
- Bring forward a resolution that supports pregnant women because it signals to women and families that Council values the physical, mental, and socio-economic wellbeing of women in the community.
- We are enabling people to be irresponsible for their actions.
- The size and location of the baby does not change their personhood.
- Endorsing abortion means lives matter, except in the womb.
- Healthcare is about health, not death.
- Freedom is good but not at the expense of human life.
- Making political statements is not the responsibility or appropriate role of the Council.
- Making statements that offend so many fulfills no purpose.
- Women are being lied to, we are told we are not capable of motherhood unless under perfect circumstances.
- Support crisis pregnancy centers, education, foster care, and adoption.
- Do not support killing innocent lives to keep women in a stable financial position.
- Invest in programs that benefit and educate and lift women up out of these circumstances.
The following individuals submitted written comments in opposition to the resolution:
- David Stephens
- Pat Miller
- Pauline Muller
- Bobby Philpott
- Jennifer Kuczora
- Zachariah Whitlock
- Paula Philpott
- Christina Blanchard
- Robert Robertson
- Greg Blanchard
- Evan Thompson
- Laura Scott
- Kathy Corcoran
- Tanya Holliday
- Brandon Roberson
- Preston Korn
- Risa Dyer
- Andrew Lambert
- Jeff Newman
- Amanda Finney
- Laura Wilson
- Irene Blume
- Jeff Stafford
- Tammy Ontiveros
- Phil Goldblatt
The following individuals addressed Council in support of the resolution:
- Emma Long
- Marilyn Weissman
- Debra Block
- Emma Schraner
- Kyle Nitschke
- Julie Piering
- Sanjam Ahlnwalia
- Susan Shapiro
- Dr. Ari Burford
- Alison Crane
- Diana Coleman
- Adam Shimoni
- Mia Rodriguez
- Lesley Hanson
- Karysa Serna
- Jasmine Viehe
- Stephanie Petrie
- Zoe (no last name given)
The following comments were received:
- No one wants to get an abortion, it is an incredibly difficult and painful choice.
- Motherhood should be a blessing that one should be excited about when they are ready.
- No one wants to be put into the foster care system or put into a world where they are not wanted.
- We are forgetting the struggle of women, they should have full control over their bodies.
- There are close to 14,000 children in foster care in Arizona, but only 3,000 licensed foster families.
- There has been no reference to the impact a forced pregnancy causes.
- There is evidence that unwanted pregnancy causes psychological harm.
- This resolution is a statement of support for human rights.
- Abortion is healthcare.
- The Council should consider an ordinance that stands up to the state; extreme times call for extreme measures.
- The World Health Organization states that lack of access to safe, affordable, timely, and respectful abortion causes risk to a woman.
- Women should have the right to decide the number and timing of their children.
- Religious beliefs should not determine the position of a community.
- The American way of thinking about reproductive rights is so different than the rest of the world.
- Access to women’s reproductive healthcare should not be criminalized.
- A major study released showed 62% supported abortion access.
- The people of Arizona elected a democratic governor, attorney general, and secretary of state who ran on pro-choice platforms.
- Pregnancy related mortality is far higher than abortion related mortality.
- We should not force people to give birth for any reason.
- Do the right thing for the people who are alive.
- A woman’s life should always be the preference.
- Abortion is a decision between a person and their doctor, the government does not have a role to play in that.
- The resolution is a statement of support for those who need it.
- Council makes value statements all the time for things like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and others; this is no different.
- The number of children in foster care and within the adoption system is staggering.
- So many pregnant women cannot afford their healthcare needs, there is no paid family care, childcare is cost prohibitive, they are stuck in a vicious cycle.
- Reproductive healthcare should be available to all women.
- Forced pregnancy is a force against humanity.
- I would feel less safe if the resolution is not adopted.
The following individuals submitted written comments in support of the resolution:
- Katie Huryk
- Remy Ramirez
- Emma Long
- Marilyn Weissman
- Liam Sarr
- Vaugh Schmidt
- Kate Gordon
- Jorja Heinkel
- Rachel Costello
- Zoë Spangler
- Dr. Sanjay Joshi
Councilmember Matthews thanked everyone who commented and shared their views. She has been challenged to indicate whether she is pro-life or pro-choice and she has not taken a position because her role on Council is to represent the city as a whole. In Arizona, abortion is allowed up to 15 weeks and according to the CDC, over 98% of abortions performed were done so under 16 weeks. Additionally, a physician can make a decision if a woman’s life is threatened. The political stance being considered has no legal standing and she believes that it will only alienate and create divisiveness. She offered that it is a good opportunity to take a stand and withdraw the resolution because it does not represent the community at large.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that there has been a lot of input on the topic. He noted that the first meeting had many in attendance who supported the resolution and this meeting had many in attended who oppose the resolution. Abortion is never an easy topic. There are times when an abortion makes sense. For those who are against abortion, he suggested they not have one. The decision to or not to have an abortion should not be made at the state legislature. He noted his support for the resolution.
Vice Mayor Aslan expressed his appreciation for the dialogue and the process for creating a safe place to have difficult conversations. A resolution creates space for discussion and that is one of the reasons he supports it. He believes that the resolution is within the Council’s purview to create and consider. It is important to make it known to the state where the Council stands on matters of interest to the state. He noted concern about the 15-week ban changing and that resources need to be directed wisely regardless of what the legislature has passed into law.
Councilmember House thanked everyone who spoke and submitted written comments to Council. She acknowledged that it is not a one size fits all situation and when it comes to individual perspectives, there is a lot of nuances to where people stand on the issue and that may or may not play into how people vote. The resolution states an opinion of the Council body and she does not feel that it is an overstepping of their bounds. She expressed support for the resolution.
Councilmember Sweet thanked everyone for speaking or submitting comments and telling their stories. She indicated that she remains in support of the resolution.
Councilmember Harris also expressed appreciation for the comments, emails, and taking the time to share thoughts and stories. The only way to move the community and country forward is to not be afraid to have difficult conversations and being open to listening and hearing each other’s perspectives. She encouraged everyone to be respectful of other ethnicities and letting them speak for themselves. She voiced her support for the resolution because it is within the Council’s right to disagree with the legislature.
Mayor Daggett stated that she takes the democratic process very seriously and no disrespect has been meant at any point along the way. She is aware that she has never made a vote that was supported by every resident, that it just is not possible. It is okay to disagree and there is no ill-will intended and she hopes the same can be reciprocated. She acknowledged her support of the resolution. |