On September 7, 2016, the Ithaca Common Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution condemning the Hyde Amendment and calling upon the US Congress and President Obama to support and reinstate insurance coverage for abortion services. The National Institute and All* Above All worked closely with Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes to support the lead sponsor of the resolution, Alderperson Cynthia Brock, and the other Alders on the Common Council to introduce and win passage of the resolution. Mayor Svante Merrick further expressed his support by releasing a Mayoral Proclamation calling for the passage of the EACH Woman Act. Moving testimony was provided in support of the resolution by advocates and community members.
- Read the resolution here.
- Read the Mayor’s Proclamation here.
- Read testimony from the following speakers:
- Zoe Maisel, a junior at Cornell University and co-president of Generation Action.
- Liz Weissbrot, Vice President for Patient Services at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Liz Gipson, Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Joan Adler, Pregnancy Options Counselor at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Read Mayor Svante Merrick’s op-ed in Politics365, “Why Our City Will Lead the Fight to End Hyde”
- Ithaca Times coverage.
- Ithaca Voice coverage.
- TruthOut coverage.
