August, 28 2009, 10:51am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116
NOW Stands With Dr. Carhart in Nebraska, Calls for Protection for Clinics Across U.S.
Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill
WASHINGTON
I am proud to stand here today with the heroic Dr. LeRoy Carhart and
his brave staff at the Abortion & Contraception Clinic of Nebraska,
as well as the other fine feminist leaders who join me in saying: This
clinic will stay open!
Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller on May 31,
anti-abortion forces have set their sights on Dr. Carhart. Operation
Rescue and other opponents of women's reproductive autonomy are
descending on this clinic in an attempt to terrorize the workers and
their patients, with the ultimate goal of closing down the facility.
Because NOW believes that it is every woman's right to have access to
the full range of reproductive health care, we are committed to helping
defend these courageous providers.
Clinic violence and harassment are domestic terrorism, plain and
simple. The hateful rhetoric and attacks have grown bolder this year.
As we stand in peaceful support of women's rights in Nebraska, we know
that every clinic in the United States is a potential target. I call on
the Obama administration to respond to this threat using the strongest
means possible, to prosecute the criminals, their funders and their
co-conspirators, and to protect every provider, worker and patient
across this nation.
Women are counting on us. They must not be denied access to safe,
legal abortion - not by harassment or intimidation, not by bullets or
bombs. Say it with me: The clinics will stay open!
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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