Posts by Vicki Saporta
Testimony Begins in Kopp’s Federal Trial
The federal trial of convicted murderer James Kopp, charged with violating the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, began today in Buffalo. The judge interrupted Kopp several times as he attempted to use his anti-abortion views as justification for the 1998 murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian. Representing himself in court, Kopp lost…
Read MoreThreats to Abortion Access in the States
Attacks on abortion rights continue at the state level. Following are two recent examples: Ohio: In one of his last acts in office, Governor Bob Taft signed a bill prohibiting public funding of abortions except in instances of rape, incest, or life endangerment. The bill officially states that childbirth is preferred over abortion as the…
Read MorePro-Choice License Plates Proposed in Florida
After years of unsuccessful attempts to stop the sale of anti-choice specialty license plates, NOW’s Orlando chapter has designed a Florida license plate which supports abortion rights. The group spent the past year designing the plate and plans to seek legislative approval for the proposed design next year. Thirteen states, including Florida, allow drivers to…
Read MoreKopp’s Federal Trial Set to Begin
Jury selection begins tomorrow in the federal trial against convicted murderer James Kopp. Already serving a 25-year-to-life state sentence for the 1998 murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, Kopp faces life without parole if he is found guilty of violating the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Check out the AP story discussing…
Read MoreTake Action: Protect Family Planning Programs
Keep the pressure on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, and let him know that family planning must remain a priority! Sign NAF’s petition and urge him to reconsider Dr. Keroack’s appointment and select a candidate whose goals and positions are consistent with Title X’s mission to provide high-quality family planning services…
Read MoreMaryland Man Sentenced to Prison for Plot to Bomb Clinic
Robert Weiler Jr. was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release Monday for possessing a pipe bomb, being a felon in possession of a stolen firearm, and attempting to destroy or damage an abortion clinic. Weiler was arrested in June after his parents turned him in to authorities. He pleaded…
Read MoreAbortion Policy ‘Not a Priority’ for New Brunswick Minister of Health
New Brunswick’s new Minister of Health, Mike Murphy, said that the province’s abortion policy is not a priority, according to an article in the Telegraph-Journal. “To be very truthful, in the last two months it hasn’t come up on my agenda whatsoever. There’s no plan for change that I know of at the present time,”…
Read MoreKopp Denied Dismissal
Thursday, U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara rejected all of the defense motions to dismiss a federal case against convicted murderer James Kopp. Kopp was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving a 25-year-to-life state sentence for the 1998 shooting of an abortion provider. He faces a life term if he is found guilty of violating…
Read MoreNational Abortion Federation Applauds the Defeat of H.R. 6099 the “Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act”
NAF commends the House of Representatives for voting against an ill-advised bill, which would have intruded upon the physician-patient relationship and substituted political agendas for sound science and medicine. H.R. 6099 would have required providers to inform a patient seeking a legal abortion after 20 weeks that there is “substantial evidence” that a fetus may…
Read MoreAct Now to Stop Congress From Interfering In Private Medical Decisions!
Just weeks ago, voters across the country rejected extremism and elected candidates supportive of reproductive freedom. But as anti-choice politicians in Congress prepare to adjourn for the year, they are attempting to interfere with private health care decisions by requiring doctors to provide women seeking an abortion with misleading information. Anti-choice advocates are going to…
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