The following is an update from duVergne Gaines, FMF Legal Coordinator and Campus Director, who is on the ground in Charlotte, NC coordinating our clinic defense efforts this week.
Anti-abortion extremist groups – Operation Rescue and Operation Rescue/Operation Save America (OSA) – are out in force in Charlotte, North Carolina. But dozens of pro-choice supporters outnumbered their ranks on Saturday, the first day of the anti-abortion extremists national week-long siege targeting Charlotte clinics. Yes – with your help – we are standing up for abortion providers!
On Sunday, OSA once again targeted individual doctors at their homes. This conduct is outrageous, especially after OSA leader Phillip “Flip” Benham was convicted in a jury trial of criminal stalking of a Charlotte doctor who was brave enough to press charges. Benham is appealing the conviction.
We need your help to keep these courageous women’s health care clinics open and safe!
Our National Clinic Access Project and our Campus Staff are on the ground in Charlotte leading clinic defense community organizing and working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect doctors, staff and patients – but we need your help! Please make a tax-deductible contribution today!
Anti-abortion extremists who have been arrested many times for actions such as blockading clinics and stalking doctors have descended on Charlotte.
This week’s siege is preparation for planned actions against clinics during the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Charlotte in September.
This is just the beginning of OSA’s week of intimidation, bullying and fear-mongering. Clinic defenders reported overhearing OSA members discussing their ‘warrior assignments.’ We will remain on alert and vigilant. We are determined to protect the brave doctors and clinic staff in Charlotte and to keep the clinics safe and accessible to women seeking reproductive health services.
Please help the Feminist Majority Foundation do everything we can to help embattled clinics, healthcare workers and doctors this summer. With your help, we are providing on-the-ground support in Charlotte. And we’ll be on the ground in Charlotte again during the Democratic National Convention.
Please make a tax-deductible contribution today to support our National Clinic Access Project.
Without clinics and dedicated doctors and health care workers, there simply is no choice.
