Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio- Following a weekend of protests, including a July 4 protest at Public Square on downtown Cleveland, Ohio, hundreds of women and their supporters, led by Women's March Cleveland and its head organizer, Kathy Wray Coleman, rallied outside of the Cuyahoga County Administration Building in downtown Cleveland on Tues, July 5.
After several of the protesters spoke at the county council meeting, the group marched through the city streets, eventually stopping on the steps of Cleveland City Hall before returning to the county administration building.
Tuesday's event was a continuation of rallies hosted by Women's March Cleveland since Fri, June 24 when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision overturning Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide. Activists rallied last week in front of the county administration building but the regular meeting was abruptly canceled so they vowed to return on Tuesday and did so in strong force surrounded by a heavy police presence.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish joined the protesters and the media outside before the 5pm county council meeting began and pledged his support. His support follows that of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and County Prosecutor Mike O'Malley, who promised not to prosecute women over the heartbeat bill, a state law that took effect in Ohio after Roe v Wade was overturned and that makes abortion after six-weeks of pregnancy illegal in the state.
Budish called the overturning of Roe v Wade "scary" and told the protesters and the media that he would be introducing a proposal to county council in coming weeks that will include the following points
- Benefits to county employees allowing them access to reproductive health care services, including abortion care. This benefit would assist with transportation, lodging, and related costs. The County would provide this benefit with the utmost focus on protecting the privacy of employees.
- Financial grants to local and state organizations providing similar health care services to residents, allowing them to access services as needed.
- Financial grants to support local organizations that provide education regarding reproductive health care options, which include abortion care. These organizations may need additional support to supply these vital education services due to a potential increase in demand.
- Reproductive health initiatives, including a nondiscrimination ordinance that prohibits discrimination, termination, or other loss of public accommodation because of a reproductive health decision.
Activists said that the public officials who represent them on city and county council should aggressively take on Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican seeking reelection who has vowed to do everything in his power to outlaw abortion in Ohio.
Among other slogans, the marchers chanted "hey hey ho ho Mike DeWine has got to go" on the steps of City Hall. Alysa Cooper, a Cleveland activist, joined Coleman, a seasoned organizer, in leading the crowd of protesters.
While the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade in a Jackson Mississippi case dubbed Jackson vs Mississippi Health Organization as to a state law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, it also noted that state legislatures across the country would have authority to regulate and readily outlaw abortion in respective states.
