San Clemente blocks Abortion Ban Proposal

SAN CLEMENTE (Calif.)–After hearing mostly angry citizens in a two-hour public comment period, the San Clemente City Council voted to remove a resolution that was passed at its August 16 meeting.

The majority of the residents that addressed the council at Saturday’s special meeting criticised Steve Knoblock’s proposal. They accused Knoblock of being too ambitious and trying to force his religious views on women in the city. Many expressed concerns about how such an action would affect the reputation of the city and its business interests.

A smaller percentage of people supported the resolution, and they praised Knoblock’s courage in moving it forward.

The resolution called for the city’s transformation into a “Sanctuary For Life” and would have blocked any zoning that could allow the construction of any abortion facility in the area.

Knoblock was the only vote against the resolution and offered a passionate defense.

” There was much discussion about today’s can of worms. The resolution did not open the can of worms. He said that the issue of abortion was a pressing public policy concern. California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature and Governor has placed on the agenda an unfettered constitutional right to a mother to end her pregnancy at any stage from birth through death, throughout the entire months… This can of worms is now open.

“That is why I recommended that this city oppose it. Knoblock said that it is dangerous and something the society will have to confront.

Major Gene James was responsible for holding the meeting at short notice. James stated that “We did hurry this and many of you wanted it to be rushed.”

The mayor stated that threats were made to council members by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and that they had to refer the matter to the District Attorney’s Office.

” I will assume responsibility and say that this is what I want to do today. The mayor had the power to summon 24 people at a meeting. This was not meant to silence anybody… this was my attempt to make it behind me .”

The imbroglio demonstrated how abortion has been a topic of conversation in American local government since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that 1973’s Roe v. Wade ruling made it legal in all 50 states.

Councilwoman Laura Ferguson said earlier in the week that James approached her to present the resolution but she declined. It was brought up by Knoblock at the July 19 Meeting, she said.

Ferguson stated that she holds high regard for Knoblock, and said, “He has been a friend of years but I disagree with him on the one .”

Knoblock stated to the Los Angeles Times that his intention was to convey to California the message that life is valuable and that 60 millions of unborn children should not be killed. .”

California Attorney-General Rob Bonta, and a professor at a local university called the possible resolution inapplicable earlier this week.

“In California the right to choose is fully protected and abortion continues fully legal in our state,” City News Service was told Wednesday by a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Office. “Attorney general Bonta is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom and the state law .”

Ferguson called the resolution “a distraction” from the city’s homeless and said that it would be “symbolic, not-binding.” It doesn’t have teeth. It simply states who is on which council .”

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Chapman University Law Professor Mario Mainero noted that this question of city autonomy from state law was raised in Huntington Beach’s lawsuit against the state for its sanctuary state policy. This included illegal immigrants in the US, and the failure of the county to enforce the law prohibiting registered sex offenders in all parks. The appellate courts set the legal precedent on this question.

“Abortions are legally allowed under state law, at least up to the level that the Roe standard allows,” Mainero stated. In most instances, state law prevails over local law. This is true even though San Clemente was a charter municipality. However, this item does not allow a charter state to violate the state constitution. It’s null .”

if San Clemente votes for something similar.