Lebanon abortion ban: 1 year later, both sides marking anniversary

Last May, Lebanon became the first in Ohio to ban abortions, a move that drew protests, praise and prayers.

One year later, the entire landscape of abortion has changed – or is about to, thanks to a leaked Supreme Court ruling that suggests the court may strike down the right to abortion. The ruling means more battles over abortion could be coming to a statehouse or city hall near you, as it did in Lebanon.

Both abortion rights advocates and abortion opponents are planning to observe the one-year anniversary of Lebanon’s abortion ban Tuesday, signaling their willingness to keep fighting.

Lebanon, a city of 20,841 north of Cincinnati, banned abortion on May 25, 2021. The ordinance made it illegal to provide or aid an abortion within city limits, which includes providing money, transportation or instructions for an abortion. 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, the Warren County seat.

Politico published a leaked Supreme Court opinion draft earlier this month, revealing the court is considering the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the decadeslong precedent for abortion access.

Ohio Republican lawmakers want to ban doctors from performing abortions if the Supreme Court does overturn Roe v. Wade, which has raised the stakes for people seeking an abortion in the state.

Planned Parenthood of Ohio, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Women Have Options and the Warren County Democratic Party have organized a rally to protest Lebanon’s abortion ban. The rally will be held at 6 p.m. outside Lebanon City Hall.

Attendees are expected to include Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Councilmember Greg Landsman, who is running against 1st District Rep. Steve Chabot for the congressional seat.

On the other side, Lebanon City Councilman Adam Mathews said in a press release the council will proclaim May 25 “Pro-life Day” at the 7 p.m. meeting on May 24.

Mathews is running against Mason Councilmember Kathy Grossmann in the Republican primary for a Warren County seat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Two of the council members who voted for the ban, Mark Messer and Mathews, remain on council. Four other council members elected in November 2021 – Mike Cope, Brad Lamoreaux, Scott Norris and Matt Sellers – were endorsed by supporters of the ban, so the “Pro-life Day” proclamation will likely pass.

Grossmann voted twice in favor of Mason’s abortion ban, which was repealed by Mason City Council in December.

Sam Cao and Joy Bennett, two candidates running in the Democratic primary for the same Warren County seat, plan to attend the rally. The ACLU of Ohio and Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against Lebanon’s ordinance last week, arguing it violates residents’ rights to due process and free speech.

Democracy Forward is a nonprofit organization that mounts legal challenges that they see as abuses of power.

Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn’s work email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work.