Man making online threats following release of highly-edited videos arrested

Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on arrest of man making online threats following release of highly-edited videos: Since the release of highly-edited, misleading videos this summer, we have recorded an unprecedented increase in hate speech, threats, and calls to action targeting abortion providers. Some of the most…

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Shooting at NAF Member Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs

Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF): Today, a shooter entered a NAF member Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and held clinic staff and patients hostage for several hours. During that time, he exchanged gunfire with law enforcement, reportedly killing three people, and injuring at least nine…

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Remembering Dr. Tiller

It’s been three years since we lost our dear colleague and friend, Dr. George Tiller. He was truly one of our heroes, and today we remember him and the many ways he improved the lives of women.   This morning, I appeared with NAF member Dr. Willie Parker on Democracy Now!to remember Dr. Tiller and…

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Man Arrested for Threatening NAF Member

A Dallas man is facing federal charges for threatening NAF member Southwestern Women’s Surgery Center in Dallas, TX. Erlyndon Joseph Lo, 27, went to the Plano federal courthouse last Friday and filed a court document saying that at noon that day, he was planning to go to the clinic and “use deadly force…,” according to…

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Report Spotlights Harassment and Threats Against Abortion Providers

This week, the Center for Reproductive Rights released Defending Human Rights: Abortion Providers Facing Threats, Restrictions, and Harassment, a report examining harassment and state laws targeting abortion providers in six states. Several NAF members were interviewed for the report, including members from Pennsylvania who are also featured in this video: Recommendations made in the report…

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Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence for Anti-Abortion Extremist

Today, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan found no merit to challenges raised by anti-abortion extremist and murderer James Kopp, including an argument that his sniper-style slaying in 1998 of NAF member Dr. Barnett Slepian in the kitchen of his suburban Buffalo home was not intentional. According to the court, “Kopp was…

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New York Times Raises Concerns About Justice Department Nominee

Today, The New York Times published an editorial, which expressed concerns over the nomination of Grace C. Becker to the position of Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. The Civil Rights Division is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE)…

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Anti-Abortion Extremist Ordered to Remove Violent Threats from Website

Yesterday, a federal judge ordered an anti-abortion extremist in Pennsylvania to remove threatening content from his website and blog. For years John Dunkle has harassed and threatened abortion providers in person and on the Internet. One posting to his website, which featured an abortion provider’s name, photo, and address, encouraged readers to kill her by…

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Jury Fails to Convict Anti-Abortion Extremist

Yesterday a jury failed to convict Rev. Norman Weslin of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force, the threat of force, or physical obstruction to prevent individuals from obtaining or providing reproductive health care services. According to clinic staff, Weslin entered…

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