The Easthampton City Council passed an ordinance sponsored by Councilors Owen Zaret, Koni Denham, and Salem Derby, protecting reproductive and gender affirming care on July 5. This ordinance was initially introduced to combat deceptive advertising from crisis pregnancy centers. On July 6, this critical ordinance was vetoed by Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.

Massachusetts prides itself on being a progressive and inclusive community. A safe space for all. Without legislation such as this, we are failing as a commonwealth to live up to those standards. As we have seen in multiple scenarios over the last year, laws and precedent is never a guarantee. These are our rights, this is our future, and it is essential that we provide every layer of protection possible to cement the right to abortion in our community.

The youth in our area are extremely passionate and we have continued to fight hard to ensure safe and secure access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care.

“As a young woman who spent middle and high school at the Williston Northampton School, I am invested in the town of Easthampton. An ordinance such as this gives me confidence that our individual health care and freedoms are protected and valued. This way, Easthampton can set a precedent for protecting reproductive health care as a leader in what will hopefully become a multitude of local ordinances that protect our fundamental human rights.” (Ava Smith, 18).

The ordinance prevents municipal employees and agents from reporting or providing personal information regarding individuals seeking reproductive health care services. This protects residents seeking abortion, or any other reproductive health care service, from targeting by anti-choice individuals or out of state litigation.

This ordinance would further support and provide protection to individuals seeking reproductive health care. Abortion is legal across the state, and young adults 16 and older can receive abortions without permission from their legal guardians. The city of Easthampton cannot infringe on this right to reproductive health care. The ordinance would encourage further education regarding the resources available for those seeking reproductive health care across Massachusetts.

This ordinance would provide crucial protections and set as an example for other municipal governments in the state. We ask Easthampton city councilors to override Mayor LaChapelle’s veto and support the futures of young people like us, and protect the right to bodily autonomy.

Ava Smith is a Williston Northampton School student, Ollie Perrault a resident of Easthampton, and Alice Jenkins a member of Generation Ratify Amherst.

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