West Chester Borough Council Supports Women's Right To Abortion

WEST CHESTER , PA —West Chester Borough Council agreed to send letters to lawmakers notifying them the borough is opposed to legislation that would threaten the reproductive rights of women.

The letters were sent to state Sen. Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Dianne Herrin, both representing the borough.

Council also discussed putting a referendum on the ballot in the May primary asking the borough residents to vote in favor of protecting reproductive rights of women.

The option was suggested during a discussion in a work session on how best to protect women’s rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 29 overturned the 1973 Roe V. Wade decision, allowing states to determine the access to abortions.

In Pennsylvania, abortions are legal up to 24 weeks.

Planned Parenthood has a facility in the borough at 8 S. Wayne St.

Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste proposed a resolution to protect women from other states who are traveling to the borough for abortions.

She noted that the West Chester police are doing an excellent job handling the protestors at Planned Parenthood.

A resident noted that there are students from all over the country attending college in the West Chester area that could be targeted by protesters at Planned Parenthood.

Council agreed that the best approach is to be proactive.

Councilman Brian McGinnis said the future of Pennsylvania laws pertaining to abortions is not guaranteed.

McGinnis said he did not want to put the police department in a precarious position.

"West Chester borough has a rich history of being on the forefront,” he said.

Nearby Radnor Township enacted an ordinance in June stripping police of the power to enforce anti-abortion laws in the event the state legislators adopt laws preventing abortions.

The state Senate and House passed a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that does not guarantee rights for abortions or public funding for abortions.

Gov. Wolf has said that he would not support changes that would prevent women from getting abortions.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Democratic candidate, he supports women’s rights to have abortions. Doug Mastriano, Republican candidate, said he supports restricting abortions.