Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 10 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H4'ed 9/7/09

"Keep It Closed Campaign" Against Abortion Clinic Falters

By       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   No comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Kevin Gosztola
Become a Fan
  (62 fans)

It is no longer what it was when John O'Keefe, a Catholic pacifist, adopted the leftist tactic of the sit-in the 1970s and turned into the civil disobedience action now known as a "rescue.

It is no longer what it was when Randall Terry specifically went after pastors in fundamentalist churches understanding that if he convinced the pastors to join him he would also convince the entire congregation to join him in actions outside abortion clinics.

Now, what movement Troy Newman has is a mishmash of loud, obnoxious, egomaniacs, and boisterous individuals who yell and shout at clinics and, at the end of the day, have the nerve to claim they are somehow helping women. (As if hearing a man who looks every womanizing Disney villain shout "cockroaches , "rats , and "snakes at her as she enters the clinic somehow makes her warm up to the worldview anti-choice protesters advocate.)

Without grassroots support, people like Troy Newman, Cheryl Sullenger, Jennifer McCoy, and others who organize with Operation Rescue are willing to resort to endorsing or tacitly supporting violence against clinics and abortion doctors. They know they can successfully convince state governments to pass restriction after restriction but believe as long as a doctor is performing abortions in a clinic the work of Satan continues.

According to the National Abortion Federation, 140,000 incidents of violence have occurred in the past 25 years. Those incidents include at least 8 murders, 17 attempted murders 41 bombings, 172 arsons, 373 invasions, 3 kidnappings, 1,141 vandalisms, 100 butric-acid attacks, 655 anthrax threats, 139 assaults, 365 death threats, 474 stalkings, 605 bomb threats, and 10,666 hate mails/harassing calls.

There is a connection between the current backlash against health care reform among proponents of the Religious Right and campaigns against abortion providers in this country. Both use inflammatory rhetoric powerful enough to compel frustrated individuals to commit acts of violence to halt operations that they believe are intrinsically evil.

The more organizations like Operation Rescue lose power, the more likely it is that they resort to acts of desperation. And, the more likely it is that an already existent vacuum grows and indirectly leads to more violence against abortion providers in America.

Watch this video from August 29th outside of Carhart's clinic.


Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Kevin Gosztola Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

We Do Not Consent to Warrantless "Porno-Scanning" in Airports

How Private Prison Corporations Hope Arizona's SB1070 Will Lead to Internment Camps for Illegals

Do They Put Lipstick on Pigs at the Funny Farm?

Why the Battle Against TSA Groping and Body Scanners is Justified

Give Obama a Chance to Do What?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend