Minneapolis Review

Today, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed his first Executive Order under the new government structure. When Minneapolis voters decided to change the structure of the City of Minneapolis government last fall, the mayor became the chief executive officer with general executive and administrative authority. With that change, the mayor is now able to issue Executive Orders to provide direction, clarity, or instruction within the City administration.

Mayor Frey signed Executive Order 2022-01 today which prohibits City of Minneapolis staff and departments from working with, or providing information to, other states or jurisdictions that provide less freedom than Minnesota does and are pursuing legal action against individuals seeking reproductive healthcare or entities providing reproductive healthcare in Minneapolis.

“We will do everything in our power to make sure Minneapolis is and will always be a safe haven for anyone seeking an abortion,” said Frey. “We continue to work with local jurisdictions, experts, and advocates to expand support for reproductive rights – and to see how best each of our resources can be used. Whether you’re a Minneapolis resident or someone traveling half the country over to get basic healthcare, you will be protected in our city.” 

“Today, Minneapolis ensures that we will continue to be a safe haven for women and everyone with a uterus to have safe, compassionate access to reproductive healthcare,” said City Council President Andrea Jenkins. “Reproductive rights, transgender/non-binary rights and women’s rights are human rights.” 

“This action makes our position clear,” said City Council Vice President Linea Palmisano. “Minneapolis is committed to protecting all those seeking an abortion in our city.” 

“Reproductive care, including the right to safe and legal abortions, continues to be a cornerstone of our public health practice in Minneapolis,” said Interim Health Commissioner Heidi Ritchie. “The recent Supreme Court decision will further increase health inequity and disparities especially for women of color, and we do not want to see that happen in our city. We’ve joined 28 other large cities in the Big Cities Health Coalition to recommit to this mission and use our collective resources to combat misinformation, center science in the narrative, and share accurate and trusted materials about sexual and reproductive health with those who need it.” 

The Executive Order applies to every City of Minneapolis department including, but not limited to, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minneapolis Department of Health, and any agency, division, commission, committee, board, or other body or person established by authority of a City of Minneapolis ordinance or resolution, City Council order, or executive order. Any exemption to this Executive Order would only be if there is information required by statute, regulation, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or lawfully issued judicial warrant of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Original source can be found here.