Protestors disrupt abortion rights petition drive in Tiffin

Tiffin, Ohio — A local petition drive for the proposed amendment to cement abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution was reportedly disrupted by anti-abortion protestors on Sunday.

The Tiffin Police Department was called to the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library on Jefferson Street at approximately 5:58 p.m. after a caller reported that a group of six individuals was blocking the parking lot and doorways, and confronting people trying to approach the signature gatherer.

Sgt. Laverne Keefe arrived at the scene and informed the protestors that they could not block entrances or physically interfere with the petition drive. According to a social media post, the woman who was collecting signatures stated that the protestors were taunting and blocking those who wanted to sign.

The ballot initiative aims to establish that individuals have the right to make and carry out their own reproductive decisions, including decisions regarding contraception, fertility treatment, continuing pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion. It also seeks to prohibit the state of Ohio from penalizing, discriminating against, or interfering with an individual’s exercise of this right. However, the proposed amendment does allow for regulation of abortion after fetal viability, unless it is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.

In order for the proposed amendment to officially appear on the November ballot, organizers must obtain 413,446 valid signatures from registered voters across at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties, which is equivalent to 10% of the number of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial race.

Abortion-rights organizations are aiming to gather between 700,000 and 800,000 signatures to ensure they clear the threshold. The deadline to submit enough valid signatures is July 5.