OAKLAND (KCBS RADIO) – The potential overturning of Roe v. Wade prompted Oakland City Council to make a bold step on Tuesday.
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City leaders sent the rest of the country a message – when they unanimously passed a resolution making the city a sanctuary city for those seeking abortions.
"A sanctuary city for all who would like to have an abortion," said City Council President Pro Tem, Sheng Thao.
The move is "signaling to all of the rest of the nation that if you are in need of healthcare access, you can come to Oakland and you will be given that right – and not only given that right but you will be given access to transportation to housing to ensure that you have your healthcare needs being met," said Thao.
According to a press release issued by the city, the resolution, introduced by Thao, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan and President Nikki Fortunato Bas, "puts Oakland on record as a city that celebrates abortion-access, reaffirms its support of Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade into federal law, and advocates for more state and county funding to be provided to reproductive care providers in anticipation to an influx of out-of-state patients."
This type of resolution helps as abortion restrictions continue to tighten around the country. Even before the draft of the overturning of Roe v. Wade was leaked, local Planned Parenthoods have been feeling the strain.
At a Planned Parenthood in San Jose, there have been twice as many out of state patients seeking abortion care between July 2021 and April 15, 2022, than the previous year, according to Dr. Jessica Hamilton, Associate Medical Director of Abortion Services for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in the press release.
"The reversal of Roe could drive up the number of out-of-state patients whose nearest abortion provider would be in California to 1.4 million," Hamilton wrote in the release. "And while no patient should have to travel for care, at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, we have been building capacity and are ready to support this increase in patients seeking care in California, especially in major transportation hubs and sanctuary cities like Oakland."
And Thao isn't finished, she is also calling on county and state leaders to ensure there is adequate funding for healthcare – including for abortion, as Oakland’s move is a strong signal to other officials, but it is still just a first step.
"We have to ensure that our patients – when patients are going to a healthcare facility they are protected from harassment," she said. "And that is what’s coming up next."
Thao is working on other more concrete moves to ensure safe access to abortion remains available to those who need it.
"I'm authoring an ordinance working with the city attorney right now, and so that will be the next step," she said. "Making sure they are safe from harassment."
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