BAKERSFIELD - Late Friday afternoon, the city released its draft of a resolution on abortion. The Bakersfield City Council's Legislative and Litigation Committee will take up the topic Monday.
The resolution comes after anti-abortion activists proposed a Human Life Ordinance earlier this year. The committee asked the city attorney to draft a proposed resolution "disfavoring abortions."
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro drafted the resolution. It states, in part, organizations that advocate for, and educate the public about, alternatives to abortion should be commended. That's it. It takes no stand on abortion itself.
And in a memo to the committee, Gennaro recommends staff not devote any further resources to this matter.
Local pro-choice advocates agree.
Pro-choice Kern County organizer Jennifer Smith said, "We're not going to accept any kind of, any kind of ordinance to limit abortion in town."
Pro-life advocate Tim Palmquist, who presented a Human Life Ordinance to the city council earlier this year, stands by his proposition.
Palmquist said, "It refers to the city funds, that city funds would not be used for any entity that is taking consideration for killing any human beings, and then it further says that if any entity receives consideration for killing a human being, that there's a civil remedy."
Gennaro also included a list of legal concerns associated with Palmquist's ordinance, including violating federal and state constitutions.
The Legislative and Litigation Committee will discuss Gennaro's recommendation and will listen to public comment. Pro-choice supporters plan to wear pink to signify women's rights, and anti-abortion activists will wear white to symbolize the innocence of an unborn child.
The meeting will be held Monday at noon. It's usually in a small facility, but has been moved to city hall chambers to accommodate the large number of expected participants.
The resolution comes after anti-abortion activists proposed a Human Life Ordinance earlier this year. The committee asked the city attorney to draft a proposed resolution "disfavoring abortions."
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro drafted the resolution. It states, in part, organizations that advocate for, and educate the public about, alternatives to abortion should be commended. That's it. It takes no stand on abortion itself.
And in a memo to the committee, Gennaro recommends staff not devote any further resources to this matter.
Local pro-choice advocates agree.
Pro-choice Kern County organizer Jennifer Smith said, "We're not going to accept any kind of, any kind of ordinance to limit abortion in town."
Pro-life advocate Tim Palmquist, who presented a Human Life Ordinance to the city council earlier this year, stands by his proposition.
Palmquist said, "It refers to the city funds, that city funds would not be used for any entity that is taking consideration for killing any human beings, and then it further says that if any entity receives consideration for killing a human being, that there's a civil remedy."
Gennaro also included a list of legal concerns associated with Palmquist's ordinance, including violating federal and state constitutions.
The Legislative and Litigation Committee will discuss Gennaro's recommendation and will listen to public comment. Pro-choice supporters plan to wear pink to signify women's rights, and anti-abortion activists will wear white to symbolize the innocence of an unborn child.
The meeting will be held Monday at noon. It's usually in a small facility, but has been moved to city hall chambers to accommodate the large number of expected participants.