Ohio City Makes History by Declaring Itself a ‘Sanctuary City for the Unborn’

A city in Ohio made history Tuesday night by voting to become a “sanctuary city for the unborn” as it banned abortion in its small town. The Lebanon City Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance in the city of…

IJR SyndicatedMay 26, 20212 min read

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Violations are punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Pregnant women who seek an abortion are exempt from prosecution.

Councilmember Krista Wyatt resigned prior to the vote, accusing the other councilmembers of “hijacking” the city’s legislative agenda, according to WXIX-TV.

“I am heartbroken to not fulfill my term and I know many people will be disappointed with this,” she said in a statement.

“But as a respectable, decent human being, I can no longer allow my name to be associated with the Lebanon City Council.”

There are no abortion clinics in Lebanon and none planned to be built.

“The residents of Lebanon deserve leaders who listen to the needs of community members rather than playing politics with people’s lives and health,” said Stephanie Kollmann Baker, the state organizing director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.

Many community speakers thanked the council for supporting the ordinance.

“I think it’s an important thing for people to be aware that there are ways to protect the unborn and women still have their right to choose,” community member Renee Wisser said.

There are 28 other cities in the United States that have similar sanctuary laws effectively banning Abortion, according to WXIX.

Ohio Right to Life applauded Tuesday’s vote, with a spokeswoman saying the organization’s goal is to make Abortion “not just illegal but unthinkable across our great state.”

The measure is expected to be challenged by the ACLU of Ohio.

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.