Yesterday, Dr. George Tiller was shot down and killed at his church in Kansas. George Tiller had been scrutinized for his practice in later term abortions, and has been under the fire of many Pro-Life groups across the country for decades. His clinic, like many similar ones across the country, was subject to vandalizing and protests. However, he continued his practice because of the beliefs and freedoms he advocated, despite the daily and bitter backlash he received. He was an active member of his church, and their statement regarding his death can be found here. A suspect has been taken into custody, and the investigation has begun.
While this is abhorrent and extreme, it is a reality that exists all across the country. Just like LGBTQ people face discrimination and violence because of their lifestyle, people like Dr. Tiller are slain purely because of personal beliefs. Dr. Tiller believed in a woman’s right to reproductive freedom, and he lost his life for it.
A startling article in the Huffington Post mentions the trends of terrorism against the people working in abortion practices under different presidential administrations. It poses the question of what could happen in the remainder of the Obama Administration as conservative extremists become angrier with the liberal direction the country is headed. Read it here.
Pro-life and pro-choice Americans are mourning this act of terrorism, and events have been planned across the country to come together to recognize this injustice. Click here to see a list of these events, and it will be updated as more come along.
Yesterday’s murder is a shocking reminder of what people can justify with their beliefs. It can happen at any angle, and our community needs to be poised to handle that. Our community also needs to pledge complete non-violence in every aspect of our activism.
Americans need to pledge non-violence in every aspect of our lives. What has violence given us? Heartbreak and social distress. It has deteriorated our country in ways that may not be reparable. It’s in our media, in our homes, and it’s on our streets. It’s in our dreams. Regardless of whether or not our country is in a state of rapid transformation, and opinions are more passionate than ever – we all hold one thing in common.
Violence will only hurt us.
Nik, the author of this post, is an organizer for Join the Impact Chicago, which has been holding events, forums and rallies since the group’s creation after the November 15th protest against Proposition 8. Visit their website to sign up for their mailing list and stay tuned in on their upcoming actions!
4 Responses
Dr. Tiller was not merely “scrutinized”, he was investigated for criminal charges. Aquitted of charges about fraudulently obtianing second opinions, yes, but he was never tried on the more troubling accusation that he performed late term abortions even when the woman’s life or health was not in danger. This is a highly aggrivating circumstance to the already overwhelmingly opposed and increasingly unnecessary practice of late-term abortion. Given this I think it’s grossly inappropriate to speak of Dr. Tiller as if he were some sort of promoter of freedom.
I think it’s already questionable to speak of a late-term abortion as an exercise in reproductive freedom. If anything I think it’s an exercise in reproductive stupidity to wait a minimum 6-8 months after having sex to practice any kind of birth control. Prenatal screening, family planning, prenatal counseling, Plan B, Planned Parenthood, these are things people need to do before deciding just when they’re about to give birth that they don’t want him or her. Surely there are more credible things to say in defense of late-term abortions than reproductive freedom! Or is the practice truly so indefensible that only empty platitudes can hold it up?
Perhaps this is splitting hairs, but in my personal view, this is far more comparible to the vigilantee murder of a pedophile priest than it is the murder of someone for what he believes. It is not an attack on people’s beliefs or ideology, but on the human rights of each individual, whatever his actions or sins. To use violence to solve a personal grievance is a dangerous and destructive thing that threatens all of our lives.
Far-right extremists have been “becoming angrier” for years. It’s why we have the FBI.
Posted on June 4th, 2009 at 1:13 am
I think Jorge’s whole world view can be explained in the the second sentence of the second paragraph of his comment above;
“If anything I think it’s an exercise in reproductive stupidity to wait a minimum 6-8 months after having sex to practice any kind of birth control.”
It seems sex is a sin and pregnancy is the punishment.
Mr. Jorge gives not a thought to why a late term abortion is necessary, nor is it any of his business. Reproductive actions are between a woman and her physician.
Mr. Jorge states;
“Surely there are more credible things to say in defense of late-term abortions than reproductive freedom!”
I say reproductive freedom is enough by itself.
Live your life in the manner you think is correct, just don’t force your views on others in violation of the law of the land.
Posted on June 7th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I don’t know where to start with the above statements… other than to say its total crap. Late term abortions are never undertaken lightly. I’ve worked counseling women choosing abortion as an option and in some casese have had to explain to them during prenatal counseling sessions that the fetus was non-viable outside the womb due to abnormality. Many women do not want to carry a dead fetus in their body and I do not blame them. I find it reprehensible that anyone can say these kinds of things about women choosing abortion. Not one, a single solitary one, of these women were stupid. Healthcare and access to care is a huge barrier to many women recieving services in a timely manner. Dr. Tiller’s clinic was great because he offered services and often had money set aside to assist for the costs of services for women with low to no income.
And there are some out there that do not believe that this is a gay rights issue. But I have seen many women who are bisexual and lesbians utilze this service. Our culture pushes too many women into coercive sexual situations. Rape and sexual assaults of lesbian and bisexual women result in pregnancy too. Sadly, these are not “rare” incidences, but the discussions we have with each other on the topic is.
Abortion is about freedom. It is about the freedom to choose to be pregnant or not to be pregnant. Its about not condemning women and their children to a life of poverty. Its about making sexual choices and letting each person decide what is right for them and theirs. Its no more different than when gay men bareback and then need treatment for STDs, we each have to decide what is right for us and we have the right to get medical care for those problems that come from our choices.
Posted on June 8th, 2009 at 9:39 am
First of all abortion is murder and it’s violent. Late term abortion that Dr. Tiller did where the baby is horribly murdered. I think those who support abortion are violent only it’s not told in the controlled media and doesn’t seem to make the headlines. Documented cases can be found on http://www.abortionviolence.com where men have murdered their pregnant wives and girl friends. There is information from Dr. Tiller’s horrific website at http://www.overturnroe.com./ More at http://www.lifesitenews.com/ The truth will set you free!
Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Add A Comment