The West Coast Feminist Health Project would like to express our deep distress at the execution of Dr. George Tiller in Kansas on May 31, 2009. As my colleague in the national Abortion Federation, I was privileged to know personally this great champion for women’s lives. In our decades of standing on the front lines of abortion right together, we have excelled in quality, affordable, and compassionate medical provision. Thru our efforts tens of thousands of women across the country have been able to know dignity. The loss of this great leader must not become a national setback or total destruction and loss of the specific knowledge and experience required to safely perform late term abortions. Dr. Tiller trained many physicians around the world in the dynamics and surgical technique needed to provide safe late-term abortions. The time is NOW for these physicians to come forward and continue this work openly.

The anti-abortion movement must be held accountable for their inflammatory hate language that breeds justification for murder and mayhem. This includes talk show hosts such as Bill O’Reilly on Fox News who consistently misrepresented Dr. Tiller as an immoral, unskilled and evil person on national news. Saying prayers for the family is simply not genuine when you demonize physicians for health care services and put them on ‘Hit Lists’. The murder of abortion providers is domestic terrorism. Thousands of anti-abortion /anti-gay religious fanatics marching in the San Francisco Bay area every January is domestic terrorism. This is a prime example to demonstrate that hate does not make a community flourish.

To respond as progressive community members is a challenge in this situation. The horror of murder is disempowering by intent. We must seek a response that strengthens our fragile and thinning hold on reproductive rights here in the Bay area as well as on the national level. With our closure (WCC) in Oakland access to abortion and pregnancy prevention has significantly decreased. The overburdened health care system needs your input and support.

HOW TO HELP

• Send a card to Dr. Tiller’s office to express sympathy and support for their work: Women’s Health Care Services, Wichita, Kansas.
• Send a card to local abortion providers to let them know you recognize their courageous dedication to women’s lives and appreciate their efforts.
• Recognize our local support systems: ACCESS helps women thru the numerous stumbling blocks often occurring in reproductive health care needs. Rides and childcare issues can stop the process just as fast as lack of funding or medical coverage. Volunteers and funding for this non-profit is an ongoing need. Our patients have been treated with great kindness as they struggle for ongoing care we can no longer provide. Access can be reached online at http://www.whrc-access.org

BACORR organizes and provides clinic defense against anti-abortion harassment including the Januragy deluge of “The Walk for Life” Madness in San Francisco. Over 10,000 Anti-abortion fanatics are bussed in from all over the West Coast to insult and intimidate our progressive community. Join us in standing visibly for the basic rights of women and men to live in a diverse and respectful society that supports women’s rights without apology. Volunteers and funds for pro-choice celebration urgently needed. BACORR may be reached at http://www.bacorr.org, 415-864-1278 (Radical Women).

Oakland Bubble Ordinance: This basic protection is a harassment-free bubble of 8 feet around any person seeking reproductive health services. Legal challenges by anti-abortion foes already convicted as test cases are ongoing and needs your immediate attention. Did you know that clinics are regularly picketed and women face harassment while entering their doctor’s office right here in Oakland? Nancy Nadel of Oakland City Council District 3 has pushed the most for women’s access here in Oakland. Calls and letters of support are appr4eciated. Nancy Nadel may be reached at 510-238-7003.

West Coast Feminist Health Project is dedicated to the empowerment of women thru health education and community involvement n creating a feminist society based on respect and dignity. Out mission includes the administrative responsibilities of Women’s Choice Clinic, including medical records management, patient referrals, and ongoing health education as community outreach workers. Out 501c3 tax deductible organization is dependent on your generosity to maintain a Strong Feminist Voice in our Community. Send us an email at womenschoiceclinic@gmail.com

NATIONAL ACTIONS

Medical Students for Choice is an effort to provide training to medical students eo ensure the continuation of Surgical Abortion training for new physicians. Medical Schools are not required to provide abortion skill training so students are responsible for ‘extra work’ on their own time. Medical Students for Choice has organized nationally to ensure the continuation of abortion providers for the next generation. Phone is 215-625-0800 and their web sire is http://www.ms4c.org

National Abortion Federation: A support network for physicians and clinics providing abortion care. NAF works n the legal, political, and educational arenas to establish standards of care and provide security assistance and general support for abortion provides across the country. NAF is our front line resource for news of ongoing harassment campaigns, bombings and murder of our professional associates. Phone is 202-667-5881 and the web site is http://www.prochoice.org

President Obama: Demand a full investigation of all anti-abortion fanatics that use hate and drmonizing as tool of humiliation and oppression again safe and legal abortion providers. Insist that those anti-abortion groups are listed as domestic terrorist organizations and are treated accordingly by all law enforcement agencies. Establish new federal guidelines to add bubble ordinances to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), effective immediately. Send an email to http://www.whitehouse.gov

(Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.com)