Statement of Louise Melling, Director
ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
Louise Melling, Director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
Send your doctor a Personal Thank You!
See ACLU's Certificate of Appreciation saluting abortion providers
ACLU Fact Sheets
ACLU's Role in Stopping Clinic Violence
Related Materials
National Abortion Federation's Statistics on Clinic Violence and Anti-Abortion Harassment
Today is a day of appreciation and remembrance. While March 10th commemorates the tragic 1993 murder of Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider in Pensacola, Florida, it also offers us the opportunity to thank and support abortion providers nationwide who show remarkable courage, perseverance, and commitment in caring for women every day.
The incidence of extreme violence has declined since the murder of Dr. Gunn. But the intimidation and harassment of providers and clinic workers continues. So does the campaign to use laws to deter physicians and other medical professionals from performing abortion services.
Last year, for example, President Bush signed into law the first-ever federal ban on abortion. This law makes it a crime for doctors to perform safe and medically accepted abortion procedures after the 12th week of pregnancy. Consequently, the law threatens women's health and lives.
Because of court challenges brought by the ACLU and others, this dangerous and extreme measure has been blocked while the cases proceed. On March 29th, the ACLU's challenge on behalf of the National Abortion Federation is scheduled to begin in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Despite the many obstacles they face, providers and clinic workers go to work every day and offer the best care possible to women. We encourage you to join the ACLU in recognizing the valor of these individuals by sending this Personal Thank You to the doctors and clinic workers in your area who make abortions safe and accessible. Without their commitment, reproductive freedom would be an empty promise and women's health and lives would be in jeopardy.
Make today's action the first step you take toward ensuring that all women can make meaningful decisions about their reproductive lives free from government intrusion. Join the ACLU and thousands of other organizations at the March for Women's Lives on April 25th in Washington, DC. With your participation, we can make this the largest march for women's health and lives in history. To learn more about the March and the ACLU's involvement go to: www.aclu.org/marchforwomen.