WGNRR condemns the deadly attacks at Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs

WGNRR expresses our deep concern regarding the violent and deplorable attacks perpetrated by a shooter at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs on November 28th, killing three people and injuring nine others.. This clinic is part of the Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains affiliate, which was featured in one of the highly-edited and misleading smear videos about Planned Parenthood’s fetal-tissue research program, released last summer (1). Since the release of the videos, the affiliate has experienced an increase in anti-choice harassment and death threats against one of their doctors.(2) 

This case is a grave example of the all too common violence directed towards SRHR defenders, because of the highly-stigmatized nature of their work and their perceived role in challenging accepted norms and gender stereotypes Since 1977, in the U.S. alone, there have been 8 murders, 17 attempted murders, 42 bombings, 186 arsons, and thousands of incidents of criminal activities directed towards service providers, patients and clinics. (3) The most recent murder was in 2009, when NAF (National Abortion Federation) member and abortion services provider Dr. George Tiller was assassinated in his church in Wichita, Kansas.

Following the smear videos released in July, Planned Parenthood facilities across the U.S. have experienced an increase in violent attacks, where in Southern California, an unknown arsonist threw an ignited container of gasoline inside one of the organization’s clinics, with three similar incidents taking place at Planned Parenthood centers in Illinois, Louisiana, and Washington. (4)
We at WGNRR stand in solidarity with the Planned Parenthood clinics all over the U.S. and with abortion providing clinics worldwide that continue to face these abhorrent threats and acts of violence..

Our hearts go out to the families of those who were killed and to those who were injured at the scene. We are grateful to services providers around the world who risk their lives every day because of the nature of their work and we are committed, now more than ever, to advocating for the full protection of SRHR Defenders everywhere.

WGNRR stands with Planned Parenthood.

Stop Violence Against SRHR Defenders!