Above: Ronni Schwantz looks on while Mayor Jimmy Williams of Marianna signs a resolution affirming that the city is pro-life. Marianna is Arkansas’ second Pro-Life City.

On Tuesday night the Marianna City Council passed a resolution affirming that the city is Pro-Life.

The resolution reads,

A RESOLTUION AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITY OF MARIANNA, ARKANSAS TO PROTECTING THE UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE OF EVERY PERSON; AND DECLARING THE CITY OF MARIANNA, ARKANSAS TO BE A PRO-LIFE CITY.

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the right to life; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 68 to the Arkansas Constitution states that the policy of the State of Arkansas is to protect the life of every unborn child from conception until birth; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of state and local governments to protect the unalienable right to life of every person within their respective jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court stated in Poelker v. Doe, 432 U.S. 519 (1977), that the United States Constitution does not forbid a municipality, pursuant to democratic processes, from expressing a preference for normal childbirth instead of abortion;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Marianna, Arkansas:

Section 1: It is the policy of the City of Marianna to promote and protect the dignity and humanity of all persons at all stages of life from conception until natural death.

Section 2: The City of Marianna declares itself to be a Pro-Life City.

Marianna is Arkansas’ second Pro-Life City. The City of Springdale passed a similar resolution in 2019. This year Washington, Benton, Crawford, CleburnePopeJackson, Saline, and Faulkner counties have passed pro-life resolutions as well.

Act 392 of 2021 affirms that municipalities in Arkansas can designate themselves as Pro-Life.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that municipalities can adopt pro-life policy positions like these resolutions.

In fact, any city, town, or county in Arkansas can pass a pro-life resolution like the ones that these communities have passed.

Public opinion polling shows Arkansans are overwhelmingly pro-life. We hope other communities will pass their own pro-life resolutions — just like the City of Marianna.

If you would like to learn more about how you can pass a pro-life resolution in your community, give us a call at (501) 375-7000 or click here.

Above: A photo of Marianna’s pro-life resolution approved on October 12, 2021.