WICHITA, KS, November 13, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Two pro-life volunteers participating in a round the clock prayer vigil were sickened last week, after being exposed to fumes from an oily substance that had been spilled across the driveway at George Tiller’s late-term abortion clinic. Operation Rescue, citing a similar incident that occurred in 2007, alleges that the spilling of the substance in such close proximity to where pro-life volunteers were participating in the 40 Days for Life campaign was an intentional “chemical attack.”
One of the pro-lifers, Jennifer McCoy, was treated for four hours at a local hospital emergency room suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling of the face and eyes. Another woman, Brandi Lozier, was with McCoy praying outside the abortion clinic in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 2, 2008, as part of the 40 Days For Life event. She suffered similar symptoms, but was not hospitalized.
After conducting tests, doctors told McCoy that her symptoms were the result of exposure to a foreign substance, and were not related to any viral or bacterial infection.
Hazmat was called to the abortion clinic and treated the area to remove the unknown substance.
After being released from the hospital, McCoy filed a complaint with the Wichita Police Department.
“We suspect that this chemical attack may have been in retribution for Jennifer’s help in documenting a botched abortion at Tiller’s clinic a few weeks ago,” said Operation Rescue spokesperson Cheryl Sullenger.
McCoy had interviewed Patient S. from her hospital bed after she nearly died from a botched abortion at Women’s Health Care Services.
A similar incident occurred in September, 2007, when Tiller’s security guard, John Rayburn, was photographed with a “stink bomb” that also sickened those on the scene. Prosecutors refused to file charges, and efforts to hold Tiller accountable in small claims court failed.
“We know whoever is responsible for endangering the health of these innocent women will only continue to be emboldened by a lack of prosecution,” said Sullenger. “The only way to stop these cowardly attacks on pro-lifers is to catch the perpetrators and put them in jail.”