Pro-abortion violence

Pro-abortion violence is violence committed against individuals and organizations that oppose abortion. Incidents of violence have included destruction of property, in the form of vandalism; crimes against people, including kidnapping, stalking, assault, attempted murder, and murder; and crimes affecting both people and property, including arson and bombings.

Background

Pro-abortion violence is directed at people or organizations who oppose abortion, including crisis pregnancy centers that are anti-abortion. In 2022, the phenomenon received attention in the wake of a draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. On May 9, 2022, the White House issued a statement condemning the possibility or calls for "violence, threats, or vandalism" in relation to protests in favor of abortion rights. In particular, attention has focused on vandalism of religious-affiliated buildings associated with leaders or traditions opposing abortion. Some pro-life groups, such as American Life League allege a history of violence and threats in the name of expanding abortion access.

By country

Chile

• 2008: Activists opposed to a Supreme Court ruling related to abortion ignited a bomb at the University of the Andes. No one was injured.

Germany

• 1974-1995: The radical group Rote Zora committed a series of bombings and arson attacks against groups perceived to uphold the patriarchy, including pro-life groups or individuals supporting anti-abortion laws. For example, in 1977, the group bombed the German Doctors Association for its support of anti-abortion laws. In later years, members of the group stood trial on terrorism-related charges.

Spain

• 2014: A Catholic Church was set on fire and graffitied with messages referencing abortion.

United States

• 1978-1980: A woman in the care of abortion provider Ronald Tauber died as a result of a perforated uterus during her abortion procedure; his license was suspended, admitting privileges were revoked, and he was charged with manslaughter. In 1980, after moving from Orlando to Detroit, he raped a 6-year-old girl; he was released on bail and assaulted a 12-year-old girl. Tauber was convicted for sexual assault and sentenced to 12-50 years imprisonment in the case of the rape; charges such as indecent exposure, attempted kidnapping, and manslaughter were dropped or dismissed. Tauber filed a malpractice suit against his psychologist for failing to prevent the sexual assaults, after Tauber's attempted insanity plea failed to prevent his imprisonment. According to Tauber, a civil judgement of $210,000 was awarded to the 6-year-old girl he raped.
• February 1986: Abortion rights activist Frank Mendiola placed false bomb threats by telephone, threatening abortion clinics, providers, the National Organization for Women, and Mendiola himself, sometimes claiming membership in the anti-abortion terrorist group Army of God. Sought by law enforcement on arrest warrants, he said he had left Fresno and traveled to Mexico for experimental AIDS treatment. He pleaded guilty to 3 counts in December 1987.

• June 8, 2022: A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted murder of Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh. In custody, he indicated he was "upset" about the leak of a draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
• May 8, 2022: A pro-abortion group attacked the headquarters of Wisconsin Family Action. A molotov cocktail was thrown through the window, starting a fire, and graffiti was left reading: "If abortions aren't safe, then you aren't either." The attack was supported by a reporter at pro-abortion rights publication Rewire, who called for "more of this."
• May 8, 2022: A protestor was detained for swinging a bike lock at an anti-abortion speaker in Massachussetts.
• May 3, 2022: Some demonstrators at a demonstration in favor of abortion rights threw rocks and bottles at police officers in Los Angeles. One injury was reported.
• May, 2022: Multiple incidents of vandalism of anti-abortion religious institutions and anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers were reported relating to Mother's Day Weekend. These includes incidents of vandalism in Colorado and Virginia. In response to these events, Democratic Party leaders condemned violence in the context of pro-abortion rights activism.
• May, 2021: A crisis pregnancy center in Illinois suffered $250,000 in damage after an act of arson. It remains unclear who the perpetrator was.
• May, 2016: A pro-life center in New Mexico and associated chapel was closed after an incident of purported arson.
• 2015: A woman in Texas was arrested for throwing a Molotov cocktail at an anti-abortion group praying outside an Austin-based Planned Parenthood.
• 2009 - 2011: Self-proclaimed "pro-choice terrorist" Theodore Shulman threatened a number of anti-abortion leaders. Shulman was pursued by the FBI and pled guilty to making illegal threats.
• September 11, 2009: An anti-abortion protestor, Jim Pouillon, was murdered while protesting abortion in front of a high school. The murderer was reportedly offended by the anti-abortion material displayed by the protestor. The shooting was condemned by President Barack Obama.
• 2021- Jane's Revenge threatened continued attacks on anti-abortion establishments if they weren't shut down.

See also

• Anti-abortion violence
• Abortion debate
• Abortion law
• Domestic terrorism in the United States
• Left-wing terrorism
• Legal protection of access to abortion
• Murder of Jim Pouillon