Mason, Ohio Repealed City Ordinance Abortion Ban

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Contact: Aileen Day [email protected] Maya McKenzie [email protected]

Mason, Ohio Repealed City Ordinance Abortion Ban

Mason, Ohio — Last night, with a vote of 6-1, Mason City Council voted to repeal their unconstitutional anti-abortion ordinance. More than a week after the ordinance was passed in October, two of the four councilmembers who supported the ordinance lost their seats in the Nov. 2 election, including Councilmember Honerlaw, who brought the extreme anti-abortion ordinance to Mason.

Statement from Kersha Deibel CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region:

"From the beginning, this dangerous anti-abortion ordinance was unpopular among residents of Mason. Led by passionate community members, Mason Ohio came together to elect local officials who represent and work for them. The residents of Mason and the majority of Ohioans support abortion access. Last night, Mason sent a clear message to politicians across Ohio—listen to us, or we will elect people who will.”

Lebanon, Ohio, passed a similar abortion ban that has resulted in their business’ losing money from a boycott and their mayor not seeking re-election after 32 years in office. Celina, Ohio and London, Ohio city councils considered similar ordinances, but they failed to pass. 

Last night, community members spoke to Mason City Council before the vote, saying that they know families who have moved out of Mason because of the ordinance, that the ordinance was a miscalculated political stunt, that they made their position clear when they voted council members out last election, and the council needs to get back to work for and listening to its community.

Abortion is still legal in Ohio. 

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying. www.ppao.org