Bakersfield College students spoke about their reaction to the “Pro-Life” debate that could become a heated topic city wide. An anti-abortion resolution was approved by a Bakersfield City Council committee on Sept. 23.
Many students abstained from commenting because they felt that the topic was too sensitive and did not wish to put their name out.
Silent McCarthy, 16, said, “I think it’s a waste of time,” while others experienced a different reaction.
Cindy Rosas, 18, felt that it was a good idea for it to be recognized. “I think it’s good that they’re looking into it because they are trying to make a point that they do care about it, not just ignoring it,” she said.
Rosas stated that she felt disagreeable to the fact that with high teen pregnancy rates, many might have used abortion as an alternative “just because they don’t want to take care of the child.”
Alejandro Garcia, 27, stated that he agrees with the movement. “I’m against [abortion] too,” he said.
Although Garcia maintained his own beliefs, he also added, “People have different opinions on what they believe in. If they’re against it, they have the right to be against it.
“If people favor it, they have the right to favor it.”
The resolution that was approved by a City Council committee states that abortion will be considered “disfavored” in the city of Bakersfield. It also states that Bakersfield “respects and honors all viewpoints, religions, and creeds,” while also making it a point that the city maintains that there are other more positive alternatives.
Back in May, a strict ordinance went before city council that would completely restrict abortion in Bakersfield.
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro told the committee the ordinance would expose Bakersfield to lawsuits, which is what led to the drafting of a resolution.
Despite the fact that Gennaro had insisted that the stricter ordinance would “expose the city to litigation,” one member “dissented” in the vote Sept. 23 because she felt the stricter ordinance should have been approved, making abortion “unlawful” in Bakersfield.
“Everybody has a right to their own body,” Rosas said. “You never know what the situation is with them.” Rosas explained that although she does not think that abortion should be illegal, she does believe it is “not a good thing at all.”
McCarthy said that she was not surprised by the ordinances because she feels Bakersfield is conservative.
“I think we have a small town mentality, when we’re not a small town at all.”