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Louisiana Clinic Fire Caused By Faulty Air Conditioner, Not Arson

The fire that destroyed the Delta Women’s Health Clinic, Baton Rouge’s only abortion facility, was ignited by a faulty air conditioner according to a statement made Thursday by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Arson had not been ruled out as a possible cause of the fire, which occurred in the early morning hours on Sunday, July 15 and caused $250,000 damage. ATF agents had been called in to investigate because the fire involved a commercial business, but were involved “especially” since the business is an abortion clinic.

Delta Women’s Health Clinic had been a target of anti-choice extremists for several years. Four men firebombed the clinic in 1985, causing $20,000 damage. Thousands of supporters of Operation Rescue, now called Operation Save America, rallied for week of protests in 1992 that resulted in 61 arrests.

Sources:

Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report www.kff.org - July 23, 2001, Feminist Majority

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