Assassination of Dr. George Tiller
May 31, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Samantha Levine 917-488-0075
Statement from Kelli Conlin, President of NARAL Pro-Choice New York on
Assassination of Dr. George Tiller
NARAL Pro-Choice New York is reeling from news of today’s tragic assasination of Dr. George Tiller.
A dedicated health care provider who never wavered in his commitment to providing abortion services and other reproductive health care to women and their families – even after surviving previous acts of violence against him -- Dr. Tiller was slain for doing the work that we pledge to protect every day: ensuring the right and ability of women to make decisions that are best for themselves and their families.
President Obama has called on leaders of both sides of the debate on whether women should have the right to legal abortion to come together to find "common ground."
But it is cold-blooded, vicious actions like today’s assassination that make it hard for those of us in the pro-choice community to find common ground with those on the other side. It is lawless, violent behavior like this that makes us fear for our lives and our families. When they sit down across from us, they have no reason to believe that we come to the table with violent intentions. Today is a brutal reminder that we are not privileged to have the same sense of security.
We therefore call upon the leaders of the anti-abortion movement to go beyond condemning today's action to actually committing to control and measure their own irresponsible and incendiary rhetoric and actions.
When these anti-abortions leaders stalk us, harass us and label physicians “murderers,” they fan the flames to create a setting where abhorrent acts such as today's can transpire.
Our hearts and our compassion go out to Dr. Tiller, his family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are also with all the other providers across this country who do their work in the face of violent opposition. We will continue to stand with them as they serve the women who need them every day.
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