Tiller Murder Prompts Abortion Providers To Re-Evaluate Protective Measures, Security

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 08 Jun 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The recent murder of Kansas abortion provider George Tiller has prompted other providers nationwide to reassess their need for protective measures against violent actions from opponents of abortion rights, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports. In the days following Tiller's murder, many clinic officials nationwide said that they had contacted law enforcement and examined their existing security measures. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder also ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to provide security to several clinicians and facilities. According to the AP/Chronicle, violence against abortion providers in the 1980s and 1990s forced many to take various precautionary measures in and around their clinics, while some underwent training to protect themselves.

Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the election of former President George W. Bush, an abortion-rights opponent, helped alleviate some violence against abortion providers. However, she said that she believes Tiller's murder might indicate the situation is changing during the first months of President Obama's administration. Obama has rejected abortion-rights opponents' calls for restrictions on the procedure and also reversed the "global gag rule," or "Mexico City" policy.

Michelman said, "Historically, when those who oppose a woman's right to decide are frustrated politically, they get more violent," adding, "I have been thinking about this ever since the [Obama] election." She said that some providers will remain fearful even though she believes clinics are now safe. "In the end ... if someone is out to get you and they are determined and have a chorus encouraging them, ... there's not much you can do to stop them," Michelman said. Provider LeRoy Carhart, who provided abortion services at Tiller's clinic, said that people who commit violence against abortion providers should be charged with hate crimes (Hanna, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 6/3).

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