In his first executive order as Mayor, Jacob Frey deemed Minneapolis a "safe haven" for reproductive rights on Wednesday. The executive order was his first, as they are now allowed under the new strong-mayor government structure.
"The message to Minneapolis residents. The message more broadly to other cities and states around us is, 'If you need that basic health care service of an abortion, we in Minneapolis are a safe haven to help,'" Frey said.
Under this executive order, Minneapolis staff and departments will be prohibited from providing any information to other states or jurisdictions pursuing legal action against someone seeking an abortion in Minneapolis.
Frey says that the order makes clear that the city will not help to "persecute and disable a person's ability to get an abortion."
The move follows suit with other cities and states who have put in place similar legislation, most recently in Seattle.
This type of legislation is not uncommon, as states where marijuana is legal for recreational use also have laws protecting people who use the substance legally but are pursued for charges where it is illegal.
Frey shared that in Minneapolis, city staff will not cooperate with anyone trying to take away a fundamental right for women. The only exception for them to share information will be if they are required to under a federal or state statute or by a court order.
Now, any states or jurisdictions looking for information on one of their potential residents getting an abortion in Minneapolis would be turned away.
Several council members have expressed to desire to have Minneapolis contribute to an abortion fund that would provide directing funding for abortion access.
Frey says they are mulling that possibility and several others to ensure their monies go as far as possible to help reproductive rights.
"This, importantly, is just the first step here. This is again declaring that Minneapolis is a safe haven for people that are seeking an abortion," Frey said. "Next on the docket, we are going to determine how we can go even further."
Related
Related
