Clinic Violence
A nationwide campaign of threats, violence, and harassment is curtailing the availability of abortion services for American women and endangering physicians who perform abortions and their patients.
Since 1977, there have been over 80,000 acts of violence and/or disruption at clinics, including:
7 murders
17 attempted murders
41 bombings
166 arsons
82 additional failed bombing and arson attempts
373 physical invasions of personal and business properties
1042 acts of vandalism
100 butyric acid attacks
654 anthrax threats, of which 480 happened since September 11, 2001.
125 assaults
355 death threats
3 kidnappings
Source: National Abortion Federation (NAF), Violence and Disruption Statistics, March 2003. Figures include incidents from both U.S. and Canada.
Through their repeated threats and acts of violence, perpetrators of clinic violence have demonstrated flagrant disregard for the law. Compounding such brazen disregard for the law are their attempts to avoid paying the fines and penalties assessed against them as a result of their illegal activity. Several individuals (including six defendants in the "Nuremberg Files" web site case) have taken steps to avoid responsibility for their debts by filing for bankruptcy.
These debtors are not innocent, peaceful protestors: they owe fines because of their threats and violence against doctors, clinic personnel and women.
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