Feminist Majority Foundation’s Latest Clinic Survey Finds Violence is on the Rise
WASHINGTON, DC Ð With the conviction of James Kopp for the intentional murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, the Feminist Majority Foundation today released its latest National Clinic Violence Survey to show the public that violence still plagues our nation’s clinics.
Nationwide, there are reports of more aggressive interference and intimidation of clinic staff and patients as they enter clinics. In addition, anthrax threats skyrocketed; plus the percentage of clinics experiencing three of more instances of violence doubled and two-thirds of clinics experienced anti-abortion intimidation.
“Our national Clinic Violence Survey reveals that violence is still threatening our nation’s clinics at an intolerable level,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. “Once again only one person has been convicted in the Slepian murder, even though it is clear that Kopp did not get Slepian’s name from a phone book and that he has worked with others in his some 15 years of harassing clinics.”
Kopp was known as “Atomic Dog” within the Army of God, a clandestine domestic terrorist network that uses violence to stop abortion. Kopp, who at one time was on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, has been indicted for the 1995 shooting of Ontario abortion provider Dr. Hugh Short and is the primary suspect in three separate shootings of abortion providers in Canada and New York.
“With threats of terrorism plaguing the nation and the recent loss of NOW v. Scheidler in the U.S. Supreme Court, we fear that the extremists may be emboldened to close down clinics,” said Katherine Spillar, executive vice-president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. “It is clear that the network around Kopp aided and abetted him in eluding the law. We must crack the Army of God. Christian terrorism is no more acceptable than Muslim terrorism.”
The Feminist Majority Foundation runs the nation’s oldest and largest clinic defense program. Founded in 1987, the FMF is dedicated to women’s equality and to ensuring the protection of women’s reproductive rights. For further information, visit the Feminist Majority Foundation online.
To request a copy of the National Clinic Violence Survey or to interview Eleanor Smeal and/or Katherine Spillar, please contact Emilie Karrick at 703-522-2214 or ekarrick@feminist.org.
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