Overturning Of Roe V. Wade Celebrated By Manatee County Commissioners

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — County commissioners celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which granted women the right to abortion for decades, at their Tuesday meeting.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to approved a proclamation, which was drafted by Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, declaring July 26 “Victory for Life” Day in Manatee County.

Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, the sole “no” vote against the proclamation, said, “Because of an act like this, we’re taking a voice away from women."

He added, “What would I want? Would I want somebody to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body? I would not want that. The majority with the state of Florida does not agree with this…We in a very, very unfortunate time in society if we’re in a situation where we’re taking voice away from women.”

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By striking down Roe in June, millions of women across America no longer have access to safe, legal abortions. The medical procedure is currently banned in at least eight states and severely restricted in many others, according to the New York Times. In Florida, a new 15-week abortion ban went into effect earlier this month.

Aides from the offices U.S. House Rep. Vern Buchanan and state representatives Tommy Gregory and James Buchanan attended Tuesday’s county commission meeting for the reading of the proclamation.

State Rep. Will Robinson was also in attendance and addressed commissioners.

“Those seven words in our Declaration of Independence – ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’” he said. “You can’t have the pursuit of happiness unless you have liberty, and you can’t have liberty unless you have your life. So, this is such an incredible, important resolution.”

He also noted that he was “very proud of the pro-life policies” established in Florida, including the 15-week abortion ban.

Calling the ban “a moderate proposal,” Robinson said it “stops the most egregious forms of abortion where a baby can feel pain, has a heartbeat, and so, Florida, in my view, will stop being an abortion factory because of this law. People were flying into Florida for this.”

The county’s "Victory for Life" Day proclamation recognizes the Supreme Court justices who supported the decision to overturn Roe — Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorusch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. (Read the full proclamation below.)

"These five Supreme Court Justices showed bravery by protecting the lives of the most vulnerable while facing harsh criticism," the proclamation reads.

It also nods to other "elected leaders and countless grassroots right-to life activists and organizations (who) contributed to the defense of the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness of the unborn by supporting pro-life Justices and legislation."

Last year, the board, led by Commissioner James Satcher, a minister, attempted to move forward a county-wide abortion ban. Ultimately, the office of Attorney General Ashley Moody told the commissioners that they weren't allowed to pass an ordinance banning abortions and abortion clinics within county limits.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Satcher said, “Sometimes we have very loud voices on the other side, but to know that the people want to see babies’ lives protected and to move forward in that even if there may be consequences or blowback or bad press, whatever, to stand up and say, ‘You know what? There’s no time that’s better to do the right thing than right now.’”

Read the full "Victory for Life" Day proclamation: