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Alabama Women's Clinic Site of Arson

Posted 07/22/97

The West Alabama Women's Clinic was the site of an arson early Tuesday morning. The fire which appears to have been started with the use of an accelerant, started around 3AM. No one was injured and damage was estimated at $150,000 to $200,000. Local police and federal investigators are on the scene.

Blockade at Cincinnati Clinic

Posted 07/15/97

Possibly as many as 200 anti-abortion activists visiting Dayton, Ohio for the Return to Truth Tour travelled to Cincinnati on Monday to blockade a clinic owned by Dr. Martin Haskell. An undetermined number blocked the clinic door but reports are that no one was arrested.

After the blockade, the protesters traveled to the local Planned Parenthood affiliate for a protest, then on to a private residence. Operation Rescue National has targeted Dayton because it is the home of Dr. Haskell who performs D&X abortions, a type of late-term procedure currently banned in a number of states.

Operation Rescue has planned a week of activities in Dayton. Local and national pro-choice activists have joined forces to monitor clinics, support abortion providers, stage counter-demonstrations and offer educational activities.

Montana Supreme Court Strikes Down Deviate Sexual Conduct Law

Posted 07/12/97

Saying, "Consensual sexual activities will not be subject to ...governmental snooping or regulation, regardless of whether gay or straight," the Montana Supreme Court has struck down one of the most stringent state laws criminalizing private sexual activity by gay men and lesbians in the country, finding it a violation of the Montana Constitution's right to privacy.

Follow this link for the ACLU/Lambda press release.

Virginia: Americans United Asks IRS to Investigate Falwell

Posted 07/03/97

The Rev. Jerry Falwell's effort to forge Virginia churches into a partisan political machine should be investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, according to a national church-state watchdog group.

In a July 2 letter to IRS officials, Americans United for Separation of Church and State charged that Falwell and clergy allies used the pulpits of their tax-exempt churches to endorse Sen. Mark Earley. Falwell claims the church-based political crusade was the key factor that gave Earley the GOP attorney general nomination in the June 10 Virginia primary.

"If Falwell and his clergy allies want to play hardball politics in Virginia," said Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn, in a press statement, "they ought to form a political action committee. Otherwise, they are jeopardizing their own churches' tax-exempt status and the status of other churches whose pastors may follow their bad advice. Churches are supposed to be houses of prayer, not dens of political iniquity. Falwell says this tactic is a model that should be used across the country, but, in fact, it is a model of bad legal advice and worse legal judgment."

Falwell was assisted in his campaign by the Rev. George Sweet, pastor of the Atlantic Shores Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. Sweet, who is Earley's pastor, sent 2,000 letters to preachers across Virginia, asking them to promote Earley to their congregations. The letter included a "Sample Personal Endorsement Announcement For Sunday, June 8th." (The letters were authorized by the Earley campaign.)

AU's Lynn, in his letter to the IRS, said,

"Falwell and Sweet attempt to portray their activities as falling within IRS guidelines governing political activity by churches. But I believe their actions clearly violate the prohibitions contained in the IRS Code, which imposes an absolute ban on participation in campaigns for political office by exempt organizations."

Americans United is a 50,000-member public policy group based in Washington, D.C. Last year Americans United launched Project Fair Play, an effort to safeguard the integrity of the political process by reporting to the IRS instances of churches unlawfully intervening in partisan politics.

For more information contact Joe Conn or Rob Boston at:

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
1816 Jefferson Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-466-3234 x215
202-466-2587 fax
E-mail: americansunited@au.org
WWW site: http://www.au.org/

Re: Atlanta Clinic Bombing:

If you have any information, call 1-888 ATF-BOMB (888 283-2662)

Dayton, OH: Operation Rescue National to Stage Protests

Posted 07/03/97

Pretending they can engineer another Wichita, Operation Rescue National is heading for Dayton for a Return to Truth project for the week of July 13-19th.

In response, Refuse & Resist and other members of the local and national pro-choice community are planning counter demonstrations, rallies, workshops and a special tribute to the region's two abortion clinics, Women's Med+Center and Dayton Women's Center. (Women's Med+Center is the practice of Dr. Martin Haskell who is being targeted because he helped develop the D&X abortion procedure, a late-term abortion procedure called "partial-birth abortion" by the anti-abortion forces.)

R&R and NARAL OH are accepting cards, letters and faxes of support for the local providers. If you would like to send greetings, address them to NARAL OH, 760E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205 No large envelopes or packages, please.)

For more information about how you can help this national effort, including sending contributions, call the R&R National Office at 212-713-5657 or email: refuse@calyx.com

PA Fetal Homicide Bill Fails to Pass Before Legislature Adjourns

Posted 07/03/97

Anti-choice, anti-family planning legislators failed to pass Senate Bill 45, the fetal homicide legislation, before adjourning for the summer. Prime sponsor Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R-Phil) successfully attached this controversial legislation as an amendment to an unrelated crimes bill in April, but was not able to garner enough support for its final passage.

Senate Bill 45 creates "fetal personhood" by declaring that life begins at conception. Harm to an unborn child would result in punishment similar to the punishment for murder. Sponsors of this legislation claimed it was an attempt to protect pregnant women from harm, but advocates were not fooled. Rather than help women, S.B. 45 creates an adversarial relationship between a fetus and the woman who is pregnant. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in addition to other women's organizations, opposed S.B.45.

The bill was amended in the Senate, making some technical changes and inserting language to clarify that contraceptive use, as well as medical or surgical abortion, would not be impacted by this legislation. After these changes S.B.45 was returned to the House, but members voted to adjourn for the summer before voting on the bill. Further action on S.B.45 will not occur until the General Assembly returns in the fall. Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates continues to oppose S.B.45.

Operation Rescue West Show the Truth Tour to Begin

Posted 06/20/97

ORW has posted the schedule for this year's Show The Truth Tour, another opportunity for the guys to take time off from their families, load up the trucks with huge gory signs and tour the country. Pro-Choice supporters may use this opportunity to take to the streets and exercise their constitutional right of free speech, too. (Tour Schedule)

Anti-Gay Conference Called Bigotry Masquerading as Science

Posted 06/20/97

On Thursday, People For the American Way denounced a conference of right-wing academics and political activists who claim that homosexuality can be "cured." (Details here)

Rochester 11 Convicted: Fr. Weslin Headed for Jail

Posted 06/10/97

In what must have been one of the speediest anti trials in history, a federal judge in Rochester, NY found all of the "Rochester 11" guilty of blockading a Planned Parenthood clinic last December. The trial, held on Monday, June 9th, ended in conviction with four defendants headed for prison. Going to jail for four months are: Fr. Norman Weslin, founder of the Lambs of Christ; Dwight Monaghan, of Los Angeles; Arnold Matheson of Poughkeepsie, NY; Daniel Lamantain-Leatherman of Perris, California.

Sentenced to 4 months supervised release and community service are: John Blanchard & Karen Jackson of Watertown, NY; Martin Chambers (a misspelling of Barton Chamberlain) of Moravia, NY; Michael Illuzzi of Nassau, NY; Robert Raco of Campbell, OH; Rene Riddle of Toledo, OH; and Randolph Smith of Rochester,NY. All defendants were also ordered to pay $105 of restitution and perform 120 hours of community service.

This conviction under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law was a non-jury trial and defendants stipulated to the facts in the case before hand. The judge admonished defendants to look for "lawful" ways to protest abortion. Ellen Gertzog of Planned Parenthood said the convictions were important because of escalating penalties under FACE. Subsequent convictions could result in larger fines and more jail time.

Terry vs. Reno - Denied!

Posted 06/09/97

The day Bill Clinton signed into law the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, Randall Terry, pal Pat Mahoney, and others filed a lawsuit to overturn the bill. Today, the Supreme Court denied the appeal of what became Terry vs. Reno.

Anti-abortion activists had claimed that FACE interfered with their freedom of speech but their activities did not interfere with Interstate Commerce as relating to clinics. But lower courts ruled otherwise, supporting the government's claim that blockades and violent activity had caused some clinics nationwide to close. By denying an appeal, the Supreme Court has let FACE stand and upheld Congress' right to legislate to protect the nations' family planning facilities.

New Toll-Free Hotline For Anti-Gay Hate Crimes and Incidents

Posted 06/09/97

A new, non-profit, toll-free hotline is now available to assist all victims of anti-gay incidents and provide them with a centralized source of information and documentation. The Gay & Lesbian Victims' Assistance Hotline (800-259-1536) is a 24-hour project of LAMBDA Services Anti-Violence Project (AVP), located in El Paso, TX.

The hotline is answered by trained volunteers who provide information and referrals to persons who have experienced terrifying violence or more common anti-gay incidents, such as discrimination, harassment, or vandalism. Callers may remain anonymous and all information is kept strictly confidential.

"We hope that anyone with information to report will call us," said Rob Knight, president of LAMBDA Services. "Anti-gay brutality and discrimination has long been invisible, mainly because it is among the least reported of crimes," said Knight. "Anti-gay rhetoric is so common that it is largely ignored. People are being taught to fear and hate homosexuals -- and that fear, unchallenged, often leads to violence. The first step in countering the hate is to report it."

Arson Strikes Portland Clinic

Posted 05/23/97

After a week of very explicit telephone threats to several Northwest clinics, someone made good on the pledges of mayhem and set fire to the Lovejoy Surgicenter in Portland.

According to news reports, around 3AM, the arsonist drove up to the clinic in a vehicle purchased a few weeks ago from a private citizen. The car contained a 55gal drum of flammable liquid which was fed into the clinic with a hose by-passing the security system. The liquid was set on fire, causing yet unestimated damage to the building. No one was injured.

This is the third time Lovejoy has been attacked since 1990. An anonymous caller had been making calls all week to clinics in Oregon and Washington. He had promised to bomb the buildings and shoot staff. Local and federal law enforcement were working on the case. Threats seemed to center on a clinic in Washington state, but after 3AM today, it appears authorities had been lead away from the real target.

Senate Passes Ban on Late Term Abortion Method

Posted 05/20/97

Today the Senate passed HR122/S6 which bans a late term abortion method called intact dilation and evacuation by abortion supporters and "partial-birth abortion" by anti-abortion activists. With a vote of 64 in favor to 36 opposed, the bill may not sustain an expected Presidential veto.

Yesterday the American Medical Association came out in support of the ban after some clarifying language protecting doctors from prosecution. The AMA had never taken a position on this legislation before. The American Medical Women's Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists do not support the ban.

Senator Barbara Boxer who opposed the ban said, "This bill does harm. Colleagues, please do not relegate women to the status that says ... their health does not matter."

Exposing the real agenda of abortion opponents, Mrs. Judie Brown of the American Life League, urging support for HR. 641, The Right to Life Act, said "Politicians are content to regulate just one surgical method of child-killing, but we must not rest."

DC, Washington: Posted 05/19/97

Religious Tyranny Amendment
Comment by Charles Sumner of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rochester Chapter

Tuesday, May 20, is the start of a $2 million campaign by the Christian Coalition to change the meaning of the First Amendment.

It begins with what they are calling a "religious freedom rally" at the U.S. Capitol. The campaign will include radio, direct mail, and telephone banks It will also include threats to legislators in the form of promises to record any votes against "religious freedom" in millions of Congressional scorecards and voting guides.

Leader of the effort is Rep. Ernest J. Istook, Jr. (R-OK). Dissension among Religious Right groups in the past four years has kept this attempt from becoming a serious threat, but now the Family Research Council, Concerned Women of America, American Center for Law and Justice, National Clergy Council, Americans for Voluntary School Prayer, Focus on the Family, David Barton, Southern Baptist Christian Life Commission, and others have joined forces.

That they represent a serious threat cannot be overlooked. Even though such a bill would require a two-thirds vote, the bill could succeed in the House, where a non-binding resolution supporting display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings sailed through in March, 295 to 125. The last vote in the Senate on a school prayer amendment was 1984, when it failed to reach 2/3 by 11 votes. However, the Senate at that time was less likely to be influenced by the Religious Right.

The Istook amendment to the Constitution would read:

"To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: The people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. The government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, initiate or designate school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny a benefit due to religion."

Having been fed the propaganda of the Religious Right, many people seriously believe that their religious heritage is under attack. They will support this amendment with a religious fervor, while the rest of us, who know better, will undoubtedly sit by and say "it can't happen here."

Those who have studied the issue agree with Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United, who said, "In all of my years of working in Washington and monitoring the Religious Right, I have never seen an amendment as dangerous as this one. It amounts to a no-holds-barred attack on the separation of church and state."

Mr. Sumner has a web site at http://www.frontiernet.net/~ldecours/au

DC, Washington: Posted 05/15/97

As Congress debates the ban on "partial birth abortion", the Abortion Access Project of Massachusetts warns of this bill's challenge to the Roe vs. Wade decision.

NC, Greensboro and
WA, Yakima: Posted 05/13/97

Arson at TWO clinics in the past week

Arson closed the last private abortion clinic in Greensboro, North Carolina; and damaged a Planned Parenthood clinic in Yakima, Washington.

Both fires are under investigation by local authorities and the ATF. The Planned Parenthood clinic did not provide abortions.

IL, Chicago: 4/02/97

NOW Wins Class Certification for Clinics & Women

The nation's abortion clinics, women who have used the clinics, and women who might use said clinics, will now be included as part of the NOW vs. Scheidler RICO suit. U.S. District Judge David Coar released a ruling March 28, 1997 granting NOW (plaintiffs') motion for class certification for clinics and women who are not NOW members.

Expansion of this suit to status of class action will allow testimony from more clinics than the two (Delaware Women's Health Organization and Summit Women's Health Organization) currently listed as plaintiffs. Any clinic that can show damage from the suit's defendants (Joseph Scheidler; Pro-Life Action League, Inc.; Randall Terry; Andrew Scholberg; Timothy Murphy; Monica Migliorino; Project Life and Operation Rescue) has the potential to join the suit. Women harmed by defendants may also join the suit.

Plaintiffs must file a proposed notice to the Clinic Class by April 18, 1997. Written objections to Judge Coar's decision must be filed by May 9, 1997. A hearing on objections to the proposed notice will be held May 19, 1997.

OK, Tulsa: 3/31/97

Tulsa Teen Sentenced in Clinic Attacks

Attacks on a Tulsa abortion clinic ceased with the arrest in February of Robert Alleva, a teenager who lived with his parents in the suburb of Bixby. Mr. Alleva was accused of three attacks on Reproductive Services. A molotov cocktail was thrown at the clinic Janaury 1, a pipe bomb exploded January 19th, and shots were fired at the clinic February 2nd.

After weeks of silence, on Thursday March 27th, the case was apparently settled and the Mr. Alleva will be spending an undetermined amount of time in prison.

Sherri Finik, Director of Reproductive Services, as victim in the case, was given some information about the sentencing and said the sentence was less than she would have liked, but "not a slap on the wrist." The most Mr. Alleva could have received was 5 years.

When asked if Mr. Alleva's parents were being investigated, the U.S. Attorney said when a juvenile commits a crime it is natural to consider his home situation.

CA, Bakersfield: 3/17/97

Attempted Arson in Bakersfield

A man drove a pickup truck into the Family Planning Associates office in Bakersfield California today. According to a report from the AP, Peter Andrew Howard, 44, was arrested for investigation of arson and having destructive devices when police found him and the pickup inside the unoccupied building. The pickup reportedly contained three, five-gallon bottles of propane. A small fire broke out but was contained in the pickup.

GA, Atlanta: 2/27/97

Army of God Connection Questioned

Experts are now questioning whether the letter purported to be from the shadowy violent anti-abortion group, the Army of God, is real. The letter, sent to a few news organizations last weekend, claimed responsibility for the latest bombings in Atlanta.

Abortion rights researchers believed there was a possibility the letter was genuine. Bombing an abortion clinic and a lesbian bar owned by the sister of a doctor who provided abortions before his death, would fit their agenda. Some confusion over the existence of the AoG has surfaced among organizations commenting on the bombing.

The Body Politic magazine has documented the descent of Shelley Shannon from blockader to arsonist and attempted murderer. After her arrest, copies of the Army of God manual were dug up in her backyard. We believe the AoG is a loosely structured group of individuals willing to commit violence or support those who do.

Providers have been on high alert since the letter surfaced. Even if the letter is a fake, the fact that the spectre of the AoG has been raised elevates the level of caution providers must take. Blockades have escalated in the past 8 months and many in the pro-choice community are concerned about the future.

DC, Washington: 2/19/97

Bubble Zone Pricked

In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court announced a ruling in Schenck vs. Pro-Choice Network, striking down the "floating bubble zone" of protection for clinic patients and workers, while reaffirming the "fixed bubble" concept for the clinic building.

Marilyn Buckham, owner of one of the clinics affected by this ruling, said she was not disappointed by the ruling. Ms. Buckham said her clinic will use this opportunity to go back to court and extend the width of her clinic protection zone.

A more complete discussion of this ruling will be offered in the March Body Politic magazine.

VA, Falls Church: 2/18/97

Man Arrested in Clinic Fire

Police have arrested Anthony James Mitchell, 38, for an arson at the American Woman's Clinic in this Washington, DC suburb. Mr. Mitchell was arrested inside the clinic after police responded to reports that a brick was thrown through the clinic window.

Ron Fitzsimmons of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers, based in nearby Arlington, said the clinic had been the scene of other violence including arson in 1994. In the past there have been large demonstrations at the site, but nothing had happened recently. However, the clinic is regularly picketed on Saturdays, said a member of the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force.

There are various reports of the extent of damage to the clinic with the San Jose Mercury News saying the first floor was engulfed in flames. Mr. Mitchell, of the nearby community of Nokesville, was in the posession of burglary tools when apprehended. He is currently in jail without bail.

Nicaragua, Managua: 2/18/97

Urgent Call for Help
Nicaraguan family planning service, Si Mujer, Under Attack

On Tuesday, February 18th, Si Mujer, a family planning clinic in Managua, Nicaragua was the site of ugly demonstrations apparently organized by Pro-Vida, a Nicaraguan anti-choice organization headed by Rafael Cabrera, who is also head of the local medical association. The staff, feeling physically threatened, have reportedly moved all equipment and records from their building for safe keeping. Si Mujer provides a wide range of family planning services, including abortion, to the poorest of Nicaragua's women.

A call has gone out to all who support family planning to call or fax and voice your displease at this nasty turn of events. (Americans should be especially angry at this following on the heels of the recent vote to release international family planning funds.)

UN Mission:

Ambassador Enrique Paguagqa
Voice 212-490-7997, fax 212-286-0815

Nicaraguan Embassy:

Ambassador Roberto Mayorca Cortez
Voice 202-332-1643, fax 202-745-0710

OK Tulsa: 2/09/97

A 15 year old boy who lives in a suburb of Tulsa, has been arrested for the attacks over the past 2 months on a local abortion clinic.

The young man, who is currently being treated as a juvenile, resides with his parents and younger sibling in Bixby, a small community about 10 miles from the clinic. As of this date, there have been no other arrests, but questions about how an underage youth could travel that distance to the clinic with bombs and a firearm remain to be answered.

NY Syracuse: 1/29/97

Arena/Wentworth Sentenced

After a seven-hour hearing that went until 9PM, John Arena and Michelle Wentworth, convicted in December 1995 of federal conspiracy in the butyric acid attacks on two Syracuse clinics, were sentenced to federal prison.

Mr. Arena, incarcerated since February 1995, was given 3 1/2 years with credit for time served. He will be eligible for parole in 1 1/2 years. Mrs. Wentworth, who has been free since the trial, was given 3 years and must begin her sentence March 4th.

Both were ordered to pay restitution of over $52,000 to the two clinics. For a more complete report, see March Body Politic.

NY Binghamton: 1/22/97

Net News Debuts!

On the 24th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the Body Politic magazine, now presents a news service for the pro-choice public. For more of the story, click here..

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