Steering and Rules Committee to hear women’s reproductive freedom file Monday

The Common Council’s Steering and Rules Committee at its next meeting on Monday, June 27 will discuss file # 220273 – a resolution directing the Department of Administration – Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for repeal of s. 940.04, Wis. Stats., which bans abortion.

The file was introduced by Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, who in the wake of today’s Supreme Court decision believes action by the state Legislature is needed now more than ever. “Today’s news that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade was tragic and a step backward for women everywhere,” she said. “In Wisconsin this leaves us with an archaic law that is 173 years old and denies women the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions for themselves.”

Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, a co-sponsor of the resolution and Chair of Monday’s committee meeting, believes now is the time for action. “I worry about the choices that have been taken away from my daughter, all of our daughters, and all women. This oppression of bodily freedom has a deep-rooted presence in our nation’s history. Abortions won’t go away, they will just become more dangerous and women may die as a result of this decision,” she said. “The time to act is now, and I believe Milwaukee should be on record as opposed to our new default state law and actively working to change it.”

Alderwoman Zamarripa added: “The repeal of Roe V. Wade is devastating in multiple ways, but in the community I represent in Milwaukee, having an archaic 19th century state law that makes abortion illegal is outrageous and unacceptable. It is why Acting Steering and Rules Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic has scheduled my file for committee this coming Monday, June 27th at 1:30 p.m. to call on the state Legislature to immediately repeal the abortion ban and reinstate a woman’s right to choose in the great state of Wisconsin.”

Anyone wanting to comment on file #220273 in advance of Monday’s committee meeting is encouraged to do so via the city’s e-comment feature. Those interested in providing comment can do so by visiting here, scrolling to the file they wish to provide comment on, clicking the “eComment” button, and then typing their comment prior to hitting “submit.” Comments are limited to 1,200 characters and will be part of the public record.

The Steering and Rules Committee meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27. The meeting will be televised live on the City Channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee) and via streaming video on the city website at city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.