Boston

Mass. Mayors Announce Support of ROE Act at State House

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joined other mayors from across Massachusetts Tuesday in support of legislation that would protect access to abortion in the Bay State.

The mayors declared their support for the legislation during an event at the State House Tuesday morning.

The ROE Act, which was spearheaded by Sen. Harriette Chandler, would prevent the state from interfering with an individual’s decision to terminate their pregnancy. It would also prevent the state from restricting medically appropriate ways to obtain an abortion.

The mayors were joined by 11 women in favor of the legislation. They held purple signs that read: Abortion is Health Care.

"The need for this bill is necessary because our laws are currently backward," bill supporter Kelley Huber said.

Walsh was joined by Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern, Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday and Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle at the event.

"Here in Massachusetts we won't be intimidated about what's happening in other states. They're putting—quit honestly—putting women's health into danger but also putting women into danger and we're not going to stand for that here," Walsh said.

If passed, the ROE Act would allow for abortions after 24 weeks in cases where there is a diagnosed fatal fetal anomaly or to protect the physcial or mental health of a mother. It would also remove parental consent requirements for teenagers.

"It's not just about healthcare in the sense it's really about rights for people," Rivera said.

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