MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO/WCCO) – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has signed a new ordinance into law that makes it illegal to block the entrances and driveways to abortion clinics, something that city leaders say protesters have been doing at the city’s only abortion clinic – Planned Parenthood in Uptown.
Frey signed the ordinance shortly after the city council approved it.
Councilmember Lisa Goodman was the author of the bill.
“Never in my 25 years of being here have I ever gotten to do something as meaningful in the reproductive rights movement,” Goodman said. “I am proud of the fact that the institution, the mayor, the administration, the council, have come to an agreement that women want access. We want the state to do something, but we want women to have access right now.”
With other states expected to ban abortions following the overturning of Roe versus Wade, Minnesota is expected to see an uptick in patients seeking them.
Protesters are still able to stand on the sidewalk near the clinic, as long as they do not obstruct people entering or exiting the building, which can now be clearly defined through boundary markers.
Goodman said it will help all patients, not just those seeking an abortion.
“When women are being harassed at clinics, they could be coming in for a pap smear, they could be coming in for contraception, they could be coming in for one of many services,” Goodman said. “And this kind of harassment also dissuades people from coming in for that kind of care.”
Goodman said it’s a creative decision while she awaits a codifying of abortion rights in Minnesota and nationwide.
Minneapolis’ city leaders believe the new ordinance tows the line between protecting the right to abortion and the right to protest under the First Amendment.
“We wanted to be sure to get to this point,” Goodman said. “We had something that we were confident will withstand a legal challenge. And we’re pretty confident of it.”
The ordinance received unanimous support from the council. Councilmember Elliot Payne spoke about the rights women are seeing inside the healthcare system.
“We are centering the needs of women as they’re making health care choices, and we’re removing those types of barriers, and there are already enough barriers in our system when it comes to advocating patient’s rights, especially women,” Payne said.
Planned Parenthood Minnesota released a statement Thursday fully supporting Minneapolis’ new ordinance. Planned Parenthood has seen a 13% increase in abortion patients from out of the region coming to Minnesota for care.
“Every patient deserves to access health care safely and to feel welcomed,” Tim Stanley, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Minnesota Action Fund said. “Minneapolis is making it clear that this city supports abortion patients, abortion providers, and in a way that allows for protesters to exercise their first amendment rights. The ordinance passed today will allow for straightforward changes that will make the situation safe for everyone- including for the protesters.”
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