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SUV Smashes into Minnesota Planned Parenthood

Emily Douglas's picture

Will violence against reproductive health clinics worsen now that a pro-choice President is in power?

On President Obama's second day in office, and on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, an SUV has smashed into the front entrance of a Planned Parenthood in St. Paul, Minnesota, the only Planned Parenthood clinic in the state that offers abortions.  The collision occurred at 7:30am, when only one clinic staffer was indoors.  That staffer was unhurt.

Reports the Star Tribune

Although staff members have gotten used to protests, particularly on the anniversary of the ruling, "we certainly don't expect this sort of thing," said Sarah Stoesz, the president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. ""It's never happened before and we don't expect it to happen again."

Stoesz pointed out:

"The irony is that if those protesters, like this man, would help us assure all people have access to reproductive health care, it would reduce the need for abortions," she said.

RH Reality Check will continue to investigate whether there is an uptick in clinic violence under a pro-choice administration.


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7 comments
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It begins. 

 

The personal is political.

Submitted by Alex_M on January 22, 2009 - 1:44pm.

What absolutely terrible hypocrites.  No Planned Parenthood deserves to be smashed with an SUV, but at least incidents like these offer concrete illustrations of the inane specificity of the "life" pro-lifers value.

Submitted by pcwhite on January 22, 2009 - 2:28pm.

As a pro-lifer that just saw this story on your blog, I just want to say that I think what the driver did is despicable. I don't know one person who is pro-life that thinks like the maniac that drove his SUV into that clinic does. What the heck does he think he's going to accomplish?! Idiot. I'm so glad no one was hurt.

Submitted by Josh Brahm on January 22, 2009 - 3:39pm.
It's great to read a sincere rejection of violence by those who consider themselves pro-life. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Amie Newman

Managing Editor, RH Reality Check

Submitted by Amie Newman on January 22, 2009 - 4:32pm.

As a pro-lifer myself, it always saddens me to see someone go to this extreme. This kind of behavior is insane and only leads people to believe that those who are against abortion are capable of crazy behavior like this. Unfortunately it's the insane that makes the news and not people like me, who can sit in a room with my pro-choice friends and have a respectful conversation where we learn more about each others' point of view.

Submitted by Mary Sanders on January 22, 2009 - 8:03pm.

As a pro-lifer myself, it always saddens me to see someone go to this extreme. This kind of behavior is insane and only leads people to believe that those who are against abortion are capable of crazy behavior like this. Unfortunately it's the insane that makes the news and not people like me, who can sit in a room with my pro-choice friends and have a respectful conversation where we learn more about each others' point of view.

Submitted by Mary Sanders on January 22, 2009 - 8:10pm.

These people are nothing more than TERRORISTS and should be treated as such. What gives them the right to act like an uncontrolled mob and intimidate innocent people?

Submitted by Sharyn on January 23, 2009 - 8:15am.