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Friday, July 23, 2010
Operation Rescue Claim of Peace Not Truthful
By Jenny Black
President/CEO, Planned Parenthood of New Mexico Inc.
Last week, Troy Newman claimed in an opinion piece that his organization, Operation Rescue, only uses peaceful tactics to advance its mission. Saying that Operation Rescue has a record of peaceful protest doesn't make it so.
Newman claims that the only connection between convicted murderer Scott Roeder and Operation Rescue was Cheryl Sullenger's phone number found in Roeder's car. In fact, according to a recent article in Ms. Magazine, Roeder swore in court testimony that he was an active, regular participant in Operation Rescue's activities. Those activities can best be described as harassment, intimidation and stalking of patients and providers.
Roeder told the interviewer that he lunched with Newman and Sullenger, and met privately with Newman. According to the interview with Roeder, he asked Newman if shooting a doctor was justified and was assured by him that it was. Further, Roeder claims Newman gave him a signed copy of his book just three months before he murdered Dr. Tiller.
Yet, Newman denies ever meeting Roeder.
The claim that Operation Rescue has no tie to the murder of Dr. George Tiller strains credulity.
Newman brags incessantly about issuing a statement after the murder of Dr. Tiller condemning the use of violence to protest abortion. But in his book, Newman discusses at length the so-called "bloodguilt' associated with abortion providers. The Bible calls specifically for death by man as punishment for "bloodguilt."
His book also calls on readers to "be willing to sacrifice" their "jobs, homes and the prospect of a so-called normal life... to rescue the babies..." It is hard to fathom any peaceful, legal activity that would require one to sacrifice so much.
Newman wrongfully accuses the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of condoning the murder of James Pouillon, an anti-choice protester in Michigan. Newman dubiously claims that Pouillon was murdered "because of his pro-life beliefs".
In fact, Pouillon was shot by a mentally ill person who was simply offended by the grotesque signs Pouillon was holding in front of a public high school — not for his "pro-life beliefs." Similar grotesque signs are used here in front of our health center.
There has never been an execution of an anti-choice protester by a pro-choice supporter. We don't even protest their ability to protest us.
Yet, eight doctors have been murdered, 17 have been victims of attempted murder, 41 clinics have been bombed and 175 clinics have been damaged by fire — all specifically because of their delivery of a safe, legal medical procedure. And that is not even counting the thousands of incidents of vandalism, trespassing and threats legal abortion providers experience regularly.
Newman's claims that he is part of a "peaceful protest" are disingenuous. Albuquerque should not be fooled by Newman's slick assurances of peace. They don't hold up to the truth.
In this state, we have many real challenges with which we deal every day. At Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, we are always looking for ways to reduce our high unintended pregnancy rates. Our state is first in the United States in teen pregnancy and second in teen births. No one does more than Planned Parenthood New Mexico to combat these issues and reduce the need for safe, legal abortion.
If Operation Rescue is interested in improving the lives and welfare of our citizens, we invite them to drop the rhetoric and join us in our efforts.
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