Anti-Abortion Terrorism

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There are any number of divisive issues which cause problems in American politics, but the worst may be that of abortion. Although there has long existed the specter of violence in association with other debates, including the one on homosexuality, it has been a while since any has been afflicted with quite the level and organization of widespread violence around the entire country. We would have to go back to the Civil Rights Movement to find such attempts to intimidate, harass, and even kill in the effort to restrict others' liberties.

Such statements may appear overly dramatic, but what is important to take notice of is just how poor the reporting has been when it comes to violence associated with anti-abortion activism. Too often, anti-abortion protestors are portrayed as consisting solely of well-meaning Christians; the truth, however is very different. Even though there are certainly a great many sincere, non-violent Christians who oppose legal abortions, the fact remains that the rhetoric of many leaders, organizations and protests has been inflamed with an all-too-violent edge.

It is not simply that an originally peaceful pro-life message has been perverted by a few, isolated radicals. On the contrary, violence in opposition to abortion has existed from the very earliest days. This, and the violence ever since, has been documented in a recent book from Patricia Baird-Windle and Eleanor Bader. Baird-Windle, a former abortion provider and Bader, a journalist and activist, have teamed together to bring to the public with stories which have gone unnoticed in the rest of the media and press. Indeed, not even all of the abortion rights organizations themselves have paid enough attention to the problem of violence.

This story is not simply about violence and it is not tangential to the fundamental question of abortion rights in the United States. Although most pro-choice organizations focus upon defending the legal right of abortion, that legal right won't mean much if abortion becomes unavailable on a practical level. This, however, is exactly where a principle danger lies.

Between 1992 and 1996, the number of providers fell by 14 percent. About one-third of American cities are currently without a reproductive healthcare center and women in many rural areas must travel for hundreds of miles to reach an abortion provider. Most of the abortions in America are currently performed by 2 percent of the country's obstetrician-gynecologists.

Among them, two-thirds are 65 or older, and only 12 percent of ob/gyn residency programs require training in first-trimester abortions. Thus, fewer and fewer doctors are interested in even learning how to perform abortions, much less doing them in their practice - and who can blame them?

No other area of medicine in the United States forces a doctor to hire full-time security, wear bullet-proof vests, and worry that they may not be alive for their families tomorrow. The tactics of intimidation include sabotage, stalking, arson, bombings, murder, chemical attacks, and more - all over the course of the last two decades.

Those who already are involved with providing abortions are under constant stress and more leave every year - Baird-Windle is one who was forced out because of the tactics of violence and intimidation. Most of those left are motivated more by ideological commitment to women's ability to choose than by financial considerations.

For three years, Eleanor Bader traveled across the country in an effort to get first-hand accounts of the various experiences abortion providers have had to endure. Add to that a large number phone, mail, and email correspondence and you get an impressive documentation of the history of abortion-related violence in America.

Of course, there are those who object that much of what is documented in this book does not qualify as "real" violence. Technically, that may be true - but implied threats and intimidation are not the behaviors of peaceful, civil, or nice people. Take the case of Roni Windle, a nurse administrator who was part of the staff of the Aware Woman Center for Choice.

One day she came home and found in her mailbox a photo of a fetus - but with a picture of her 12-year-old daughter's head superimposed on it. Someone had to know who she was, know she had a daughter, find that daughter, and photograph that daughter before mailing the image - an image with unmistakably violent implications. According to Roni:

I watched Lilia (a pseudonym) like a hawk for weeks and weeks. The police were called and told me they considered it a death threat. The took it as evidence but never arrested anyone for it.

Windle is not the only person to have had her private life invaded by anti-abortionists. Many have had their homes picketed, day and night. They are stalked and followed by protestors. Abortion providers become understandably afraid for the safety and welfare of their children - children who now find it difficult, if not impossible, to have simple things like time to play in the front lawn or have birthday parties with invited friends.

Between 1977 and 2000, there were 7 murders, 17 attempted murders, 115 assaults, and 3 kidnappings of those working in abortion clinics. People know for a fact that they are simply not safe, either at work or at home, and all because they are involved with a fulfilling a legal medical service which is freely chosen by the women who come to them.

Although there are a tremendous number of books available which deal with abortion, few focus solely on the violence and intimidation directed at abortion providers. This is perhaps the most comprehensive account, presented in a month-by-month format, almost like a timeline. It may at times sound repetitive, but that is largely due to the fact that the same actions are repeated over and over. It should, however, be considered a basic reference work for anyone interested in the abortion debate.