Tragic Day as Abortion Provider Dr. George Tiller Murdered in his Wichita Church
Yesterday was a tragic day for the entire nation as Dr. George Tiller, a dedicated health care provider who never wavered in his commitment to providing abortion services and other reproductive health care to women and their families, was murdered in his Wichita, Kansas church.
Dr. Tiller survived previous attempts upon his life, including being shot in both arms in 1993. Despite acts of violence, constant protests, and harassing attempts at prosecution, Dr. Tiller remained steadfast in his commitment to providing reproductive health care to those in need.
Last night mourners and supporters of a woman’s right to choose took part in a vigil in the nation’s capital to join in the rememberance, speak out for peace, and honor the courage and commitment that abortion providers and advocates show on a daily basis, in the face of hostility and threats of violence. Tonight, similar vigils will take place across the country.
This unconscionable act of violence came at a time when President Obama has called on leaders of both sides of the abortion debate to find “common ground.” But as Kelli Conlin, President of the National Institute for Reproductuve Health and Naral Pro-Choice New York said in a statement released yesterday,
it is cold-blooded, vicious actions like today’s assassination that make it hard for those of us in the pro-choice community to find common ground with those on the other side. It is lawless, violent behavior like this that makes us fear for our lives and our families. When they sit down across from us, they have no reason to believe that we come to the table with violent intentions. Today is a brutal reminder that we are not privileged to have the same sense of security.
We therefore call upon the leaders of the anti-abortion movement to go beyond condemning today’s action to actually committing to control and measure their own irresponsible and incendiary rhetoric and actions.
When these anti-abortions leaders stalk us, harass us and label physicians “murderers,” they fan the flames to create a setting where abhorrent acts such as today’s can transpire.
By: Tara Sweeney