ACLU files suit against Warren County city’s abortion ban

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sued the city of Lebanon Tuesday, hoping to strike down that city's ban on abortion.

It's been nearly one year since Lebanon City Council passed an ordinance banning abortion in the city of 20,841 north of Cincinnati. It was the first city in Ohio to pass such a measure.

The ordinance makes it illegal to provide an abortion, aid an abortion, provide money or transportation for an abortion and provide instructions for abortion within city limits.

Violating the ban is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

There are no abortion clinics in Lebanon.

At least 45 cities in Texas, Nebraska, Louisiana and Iowa have passed similar legislation, according to Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn.

A leaked Supreme Court opinion draft published by Politico last week showed the court is considering overturning Roe v. Wade, which stood for decades as the legal precedent granting abortion access in the United States.

The ACLU'S lawsuit claims Lebanon's ban is a violation of other constitutional rights, namely due process and free speech.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers and Women Have Options, an Ohio organization that provides money, transportation, housing and other support to people seeking abortions.

The ACLU claims Lebanon's ordinance is too vague and sweeping and therefore a violation of due process rights. It argues the ban violates free speech rights.

The ordinance makes it illegal to communicate “instructions regarding self-administered abortion” and to “provide ‘abortion doula' services”

The plaintiff requested the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio declare the ban unconstitutional, prevent Lebanon from enforcing it and award the plaintiffs' attorney fees.

Lebanon City Councilmember Adam Mathews, who advocated for the abortion ban, released a statement last week on the Supreme Court leak.

“We continue to pray for the majority opinion to hold, for courage and safety for the Justices of the Supreme Court, and for our institutions to heal,” Mathews said.

Mathews said the city council will “celebrate a full year of banning abortion services in our city limits” at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on May 24, when council will proclaim May 25 “Pro-life Day.”

Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program.