January 23, 2012 (LiveAction.org) – I still remember my first discussion with an avid abortion activist. I was fifteen, and the Genocide Awareness Project was giving a presentation at the University of California, Berkeley. Angry college students and local abortion advocates were protesting the presentation, and an older feminist struck up a conversation with me about my rights as a woman (to kill a child). As the discussion became more heated, she finally snapped,
“Obviously you ‘pro-lifers’ don’t care about life, because you bomb abortion clinics!”
I’ve heard this line in countless conversations since. Though neither myself or any pro-life activist I have met supports violence as a means to end abortion, rare and isolated incidents of violence (often performed by those who are mentally unstable) are constantly used as a stereotype for all of us.
Take, for example, a recent incident in Pensacola, Florida. A homeless man with a long non-abortion-related criminal record set fire to an abortion clinic on New Year’s Day. Lacking clear evidence on motives and ignoring the man’s criminal past, Twitter, Facebook and pro-choice blogs were immediately flooded with talk of “anti-abortion violence.” A writer for the pro-abortion blog RH Reality Check stated,
“Let the fire in Pensacola be a wake up call to us all. That, along with the countless other incidents of violence and terror against clinics and providers, is the true face of the anti-abortion movement.”
The acts of one man with a criminal past represents the true face of our movement? What about the thousands of men, women, and children who peacefully stand up to abortion every day? If one looks at any explanation of what the pro-life movement stands for — protecting and defending human life — one will clearly see that those advocating violence are going against the goal of our movement, and therefore don’t accurately depict it.
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Unfortunately, this type of stereotyping by the pro-choice movement has been so effective that it has even limited the freedom of speech for pro-lifers. Because we are labeled violent, many states have laws prohibiting pro-lifers from going too close to an abortion clinic.
But let’s hear the whole story. If abortion advocates wish to paint a picture of our movement by focusing on the extremists, let’s not forget instances of pro-choice extremism. Below are some examples of violence, hatred, or just plain oddity from the pro-abortion movement this past year, and links to their full stories. I doubt abortion advocates would like any of these stories to be deemed the “true face” of their movement.
Prayer Vigil Bombing
Last St. Patrick’s Day, a peaceful, 40 Days for Life prayer vigil was interrupted when a homemade bomb was thrown at an elderly attendee. The vigil coordinator also reported the opposition throwing water balloons and baby dolls covered in fake blood at those taking part in the vigil.
Dr. Gosnell
Early in 2011, abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell was charged with 8 counts of murder. Gosnell illegally performed late-term abortions by inducing early labor and severing the baby’s spinal cord after birth. Raids of Gosnell’s clinic uncovered many other horrors, including jars containing bodies and body parts of children killed by abortion and infanticide — some dating as far back as 30 years.
Clinic Escort Attacks Sidewalk Counselor
Planned Parenthood Ann Arbor clinic escort Bernie Klein attacked a pro-life man who was counseling a young father outside of a clinic. Klein has been a clinic escort for the past 21 years, and has often harassed pro-lifers at the clinic. Klein will be in court for charges of assault later this month.
Creepy Rockford, IL Clinic
After closing temporarily due to health and safety violations, an abortion clinic in Rockford, Illinois has now closed permanently. The clinic was notorious for open hatred toward Christians, displaying in their windows everything from nooses hanging Jesus Christ figurines to jeering scoreboards tracking abortions vs. babies saved. The clinic has even singled out specific pro-lifers with signs mocking the death of a sidewalk counselor’s father, and others taunting a counselor who was HIV-positive.
The “Pro-Choice Terrorist”
Last March, Theodore Shulman was arrested for death threats against multiple pro-life leaders. A self-proclaimed “pro-choice terrorist,” Shulman harassed and threatened many well-known leaders of the pro-life movement. Following the death of one activist, Shulman stated, “Unfortunately, he died in his bed. He was not killed by a pro-choice counterterrorist. Too bad, he would have been a most effective target.” (Yet we are the violent ones?)
And these are just within the past year! I was horrified to come across a story from 2000 of an abortion doctor / OB/GYN that carved his initials into a patient’s stomach after delivering the patient’s child. Even more frightening? He was hired as medical director for an abortion clinic and permitted to practice medicine for four months after the incident! When questioned about the carving, the doctor stated that “he did such a beautiful job, he thought he should sign it.” (Full Story Here)
Now let me be clear: Just as I don’t wish to be portrayed as a clinic-bomber for my pro-life views, I don’t wish to portray all abortion advocates as Dr. Gosnells. Though I disagree with their conclusions, I truly believe that there are men and women in the pro-choice movement with good intentions. My point here is just that there are extremes on both sides. I would, however, argue that extremism is much more representative (and common) of the side that advocates abortion.
Let me explain:
The difference in both movements is that, with all bizarre cases aside, the pro-life cause still has a valid case. While abortion advocates must focus on the extremists, we don’t have to limit our focus to the Dr. Gosnells of this world to make our case: abortion is always extreme! Abortion advocates decry isolated instances of violence, while we decry a constant act of violence. Abortion advocates may condemn our movement for rare occurrences, but the event we condemn occurs over 3,000 times per day in our nation.
Far more common than “anti-abortion violence,” is pro-abortion rhetoric about anti-abortion violence. It is important that we recognize the extreme actions on both sides of the issue, but don’t let that distract from the constant extreme action of abortion.
Note: Live Action is strictly non-violent and only works with groups with the same commitment.
Reprinted with permission from the LiveAction blog.